Education Minister Nancy Allan scrums with media at Glenwood School following a class size reduction announcement on Wednesday, October 26, 2011. (CHRISD.CA)
The Manitoba government will limit class sizes for younger students in the province as part of a new initiative announced Wednesday.
A maximum of 20 students from kindergarten through Grade 3 will be permitted in one class starting in 2012.
“We know that students are more likely to succeed when they have the attention they need in their early years,” said Education Minister Nancy Allan.
An implementation team made up of parents, teachers, school administrators and trustees will work with the province to ensure class sizes remain small.
“This team will provide the expertise, input and direction we need to implement a class size cap of 20.”
Additional teachers will be hired at a cost of $20 million annually, and more class space constructed for $85 million to help keep class sizes down.
An online tracking system will also be established for the 2012-13 school year, where the public can monitor progress of the smaller class size initiative.
