A grade two classroom is shown in this Monday, September 14, 2020 file photo. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)
The Manitoba government will increase public school funding by $79.8 million for the 2026–27 school year, bringing total education funding to nearly $2 billion.
Education and Early Childhood Minister Tracy Schmidt made the announcement Monday, saying the increase represents a 3.5 percent boost to public school funding.
“This is good news for teachers, school divisions and families while building a brighter future for Manitoba’s students,” Schmidt said.
The funding increase also includes $11.4 million to support school divisions affected by teacher salary harmonization, which will standardize pay scales across divisions beginning in 2026–27.
The province says the funding will help manage enrolment changes, support operating costs and ensure all school divisions receive an increase over last year through the continuation of the funding formula guarantee.
Manitoba is also planning to build four new schools, including Devonshire Park and Prairie Point in Winnipeg, Meadowlands in West St. Paul and a new school in southwest Brandon.
The Manitoba Teachers’ Society says the province’s education funding announcement falls short.
“Classroom support for next year is below inflation, which represents a decline in real funding. This does not meet growing student needs and does nothing to repair the damage of chronic underfunding in public schools across this province,” said Lillian Klausen, president of the Manitoba Teachers’ Society, in a statement.
“Classrooms have been operating under immense strain for almost a decade. We are now in a crisis.”
