ONTARIO—Ontario is increasing its investment in students and schools across the province by providing $22.9 billion in education funding through the 2016-2017 Grants for Students needs, an increase of approximately $300 million from last year.
“I am proud to say that we are once again increasing our investment in publicly funded education, including an increase in per-pupil funding,” said Liz Sandals, Minister of Education, in a release. “We are also increasing support for First Nation, Metis, and Inuit education by funding enhanced teaching resources to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Overall, the 2016-2017 Grants for Student Needs reflects the commitment of our government and the entire education sector to take our publicly funded education system from great to excellent.”
“The devil is in the details until we get more information,” said Norm Blaseg, director of the Rainbow District School Board (RDSB), to the recent funding announcement. “On the face of it, it’s kind of a status quo funding announcement where most funding will be retained and funding we knew that we expected would be announced on plans to implement special education, building projects and other pieces we’ve been aware of. For instance, year two of school board efficiencies and modernization includes the meetings we have had with the municipalities where we told them that we have to find savings of $4 million in total over the next few years.”
The annual grants, provided to Ontario’s 72 school boards to support funding for classrooms, school leadership and operations, specific student-related priorities and local management by school boards, continue to build on the significant gains made since 2003 and reflect the government’s commitment to realizing the goals of Achieving Excellence: A Renewed Vision for Education in Ontario.
Next year’s funding includes an increased investment of over $7 million for First Nation, Metis, and Inuit education. All school boards will receive a minimum level of funding for a position dedicated to support First Nation, Metis and Inuit education initiatives, demonstrating Ontario’s support for the education recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In addition, this position will promote a greater awareness of Indigenous histories, cultures, perspectives and contributions among all students, while developing greater community and family engagement.
Ontario is also moving forward with regulatory changes that will foster the development of community hubs in schools by expanding the process that school boards must follow when selling or leasing schools. This will help unlock the value of schools as public assets and support communities with improved services.
Mr. Blaseg said the board is expecting to benefit from the province announced differentiated special education needs amount, which is being phased in over four years. “In the past boards were given this funding per pupil but it wasn’t averaged out board wise. We will be seeing an increase and this will be fully implemented over four years; we are in the third stage this September.” He also welcomes funding being provided for First Nation, Metis and Inuit education.
“Lots of the announced funding we were already aware of and are just looking for more information,” said Mr. Blaseg. However, he also noted, “if enrolments continue to decline it puts pressure in geographical areas that we wish we didn’t have to experience challenges in.”
“Right now we are awaiting the details on the funding and our challenge will be in translating the funding amounts and complementing staffing levels,” said Mr. Blaseg. “We have meetings over the next two months with staffing unions and staffing of course has to align with funding allotments.”
Since 2003, the Grants for Student Needs have increased by more than $8 billion-or 59 percent-despite declining school enrolment; during that same time, per-pupil funding has increased by 63 percent to $11,709. Additional highlights of the 2016-2017 Grants for Student Needs include increased funding to address higher operating costs such as utilities, and steps to ensure compliance with full-day kindergarten and primary (Grades 1 to 3) class size requirements; changes to Regulation 444/98 support the goals of Community Hubs in Ontario: A Strategic Framework and Action Plan. Since 2003, the province has invested about $13.4 billion in school infrastructure, including nearly 755 new schools and more than 720 additions and renovations.
