Government Remains Committed to Student Success

Released on March 18, 2015

The Government of Saskatchewan remains committed to students across the province and is increasing its overall investment in Education by 14 per cent over 2014-15 to a total of $2.0 billion. School operating funding for 2015-16, including revenue collected from the education property tax, will be $1.87 billion, up $52.8 million or 2.9 per cent over last year.

“Our government is keeping Saskatchewan strong through continued investment in our students and our schools,” Education Minister Don Morgan said. “Even in times of restrained spending, supporting students and teachers in the classroom is vital for the future success of our young people and our province.”

The government is continuing to meet the demands of communities that have experienced extraordinary growth through a $157.5 million investment – a $154.1 million increase - for initial construction costs for the nine joint-use schools in Warman, Martensville, Saskatoon and Regina, scheduled to open in fall 2017.

With these combined investments, this year’s total educational capital budget is $248.5 million, the largest ever capital investment.

A $91.0 million capital investment in Saskatchewan schools also includes:

$31.6 million – a $7.6 million increase – in funding for preventative and emergency maintenance;
$10.6 million – a $3.7 million increase – for the purchase of up to 31 new relocatable classrooms across the province; and
$47.8 million – a $3.6 million increase – for 11 previously approved major capital projects, including the start of construction of schools in St. Brieux and Regina (Connaught and Sacred Heart).

As part of this budget, at the request of school divisions, the government will now assume 100 per cent funding responsibility for major capital projects after March 31, 2015.

Students across the province will also benefit from:

the inclusion of $4.6 million for Supports for Learning funding for school divisions to continue funding announced in the fall of 2014;
$420,000 in funding for additional English as an Additional Language supports to deliver on commitments made to school divisions in the 2014-15 school year;
$75,000 in additional funding to develop Braille and alternate format materials for students with disabilities; and
$6.0 million in continued funding (of which $925,000 will be invested through the Ministries of Advanced Education and Economy), to support government’s continued response to the recommendations from the Joint Task Force on Improving First Nations and Métis Education and Employment Outcomes in Saskatchewan.

Government’s investment in early learning and child care includes a $2.14 million increase for ongoing costs of recently developed child care spaces and a $546,000 increase to support full-year Pre-kindergarten costs of recently implemented programs.

This year’s Budget also includes a $700,000 increase to cover the costs of transitioning to the Teachers’ Self-Regulating Professional Body, which will enhance the professional integrity of the teaching profession and bring it more in line with other professions in the province, as well as ensure the transparency of the disciplinary process and the safety of students.

Community-based organizations are also receiving an additional $646,000, the equivalent of 1.0 per cent increase in funding.

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For more information, contact:

Kelly Johnston
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1069
Email: kelly.johnston@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-7506

Government Remains Committed to Student Success

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