BUDGET INVESTS IN EDUCATION

Increases in Both Operating and Capital Funding

The 2013-14 Budget continues to make students a priority by investing in the PreK-12 education system.

“We want to make sure students are receiving the best possible education in Saskatchewan schools,” Education Minister Russ Marchuk said.  “That is especially challenging now, with school enrolments increasing for the first time in many years.  This budget meets that challenge.”

Overall funding for Education has increased by 6.7 per cent from 2012-13.  School operating funding, which includes money collected from the education property tax, will be $1.775 billion in 2013-14, up $40.6 million or 2.3 per cent from last year.

In order to address growth pressures that some school divisions are facing, an increase of $17.0 million is in the budget for enrolment increases of more than 4,500 students in 2012 and 2013 combined.  As well, as a part of the $27 million committed to the preventative maintenance in this year’s budget, planning is underway for up to 40 relocatables in place for fall 2013.
 
Investing in the classroom to support students is an important focus of the budget.  The Supports for Learning component of the funding model, which goes to classroom supports such as English as an additional language, increases by $10 million to a total of $268 million.  In addition, $5.9 million is being provided to initiate a new student assessment program that will support learning through the Saskatchewan Student Achievement initiative.

$119.6 million in capital funding is being in provided to advance a number of school projects in 2013-14.  That’s an increase of $7.2 million or 6.4 per cent.  It includes $18.7 million for the construction of major capital projects in Hudson Bay, Leader and Martensville and $1.9 million to begin the planning of new school projects in Langenburg and Gravelbourg.

Since November 2007, the Government of Saskatchewan has committed more than $600 million toward 43 major school capital projects and approximately 900 additional smaller school capital projects across the province.

The government is also continuing the commitment made to increase early learning opportunities and the number of licensed child care spaces.  This budget provides an increase of nearly $600.000 for expansion of 15 new PreKindergarten programs as well as $1.0 million in capital support.  As well, this budget meets the commitment to create 500 additional child care spaces in 2013-14 by providing $2.3 million in operating funding as well as capital support for eligible school based sites.

“Investing in education is one of the best things we can do to ensure a great future for our growing province,” Marchuk said.

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For more information, contact:

Leya Moore
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1069
Email: leya.moore@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-7506