Education Minister Nancy Allan

 

An additional 2.7 per cent, or $30,000,000, will be invested in public schools this year in Manitoba.  Education Minister Nancy Allan outlined the province's $1.135 billion budget this morning. Accroding to a news release education funding has increased by $363.7 million since 1999, representing a 47.2 per cent increase in overall support.

The tax incentive grant will be made available for a 4th year, allowing school divisions to increase expenditures while holding the line on property taxes.  Every school in Manitoba is also guaranteed at least a 2.2 per cent grant increase this year in anticipation of higher enrolments.  Nearly $1 million in new funding for English as an Additional Language will be made available as well as $75,000 to hire new technical vocational initiative coordinator to serve the Interlake and central regions.  A 5.5 per cent increase to equalization was also announced.

 

Other details include:

 

The 2011-12 budget includes $1.3 million more for special-needs students and a three per cent rate increase for level two and level three funding. The province has increased special-needs funding in each budget since 1999 and annual funding is now $186.1 million, an overall increase of 51.5 per cent.

 


$303,700 for the Early Childhood Development Initiative including a new Early Development Instrument Supplement to ensure children are ready to start school.

$10.8 million more for equalization funding, a 5.5 per cent increase from last year, which helps to  ensure school divisions with low tax bases are still able to offer high quality programs and services to students.

The minister also noted today the government will also soon be entering into broad consultation with parents, educators and school boards on how to improve our education system, as announced in the throne speech.