January 6, 2016
Manitoba Government Announces New Supports for Inner-city and Community Schools
– – –New Funding Targets Achievement Gap Between Manitoba Students: Premier Selinger
The Manitoba government is providing more than $2 million in targeted funding to support community schools and inner-city students so all parents can see their children get the supports they need to succeed, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“We are investing in students in the inner-city because all students in Manitoba deserve the same chance to succeed,” said Premier Selinger. “Community schools bring community supports into the classroom and we want to make sure they have the resources they need so that students can focus on learning while they’re at school.”
The premier said the more than $2-million commitment includes $670,000 to increase all community schools funding to $100,000, $150,000 to help address attendance issues in the inner city, $240,000 to support family outreach co-ordinators at community schools and $900,000 in targeted funding for inner-city students who face barriers to education in the Winnipeg School Division.
“The Winnipeg School Division Board of Trustees is pleased the province recognizes the extensive work being done in the division to support our diverse student population,” said Mark Wasyliw, board chair, Winnipeg School Division. “The challenges for inner-city youth to stay in school and succeed are unceasing and as a division, we are unceasing in our efforts to help make a difference in their futures.”
“Too many children face significant barriers to education and these strategic investments will help schools in disadvantaged neighbourhoods give the classroom and community supports students need,” said Education and Advanced Learning Minister James Allum. “We will keep working to make the education system work better for all children and reject calls for cuts that will hurt regular, hard-working families.”
The funding is part of a commitment that brings total funding for Manitoba’s public education system to more than $1.3 billion, which will support public schools and students across the province, the premier said.
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