Province increases funding to all School Divisions

$100 million in new funding announced for 2023-24 school year

By Eoin Devereux Neepawa Banner & Press

to remain at around that number, this extra funding would equate to 7.25 per cent increase in support.

Beautiful Plains secretary-treasurer Shannon Bayes said considering above average increases in students in the division over the last two years, as well as the impact of inflation, this additional support is positive news.

“We’re thankful for this announcement, as this will assist with offsetting inflationary cost increases. As well, our division has had notable growth in our enrolment over the last two years, so this [funding] will have an affect.”

Bayes added that even with those growth and inflation pressures in place, these additional funds will find its way in front of students.

It’s an announcement that school divisions across the province have been hoping to hear for quite some time. On Thursday Feb. 2, the Manitoba Government announced an increase in funding for Kindergarten to Grade 12 schools by $100 million, starting in the 2023-24 school year.

In a press release confirming the increase, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko said. “Our government believes that all students must succeed regardless of where they live, their background or circumstances, and this year’s investment will provide an operating funding increase to each and every school division across the province,”

The money makes up a 6.1 per cent increase in funding and will be spread out to school divisions