October 6, 2014
Manitoba Government Announces More Than 100 New Teachers Hired this Year for Smaller Classes
– – –Smaller Class Sizes Means Teachers Have More One-on-one Time with Students: Minister Allum
Education and Advanced Learning Minister James Allum joined students and staff at École Robert Browning School for the grand opening of its new kindergarten classroom, made possible through the province’s smaller classes initiative where he announced that in the first three years of the initiative, the Manitoba government, in partnership with school divisions, has now hired over 100 new teachers this year, bringing the total of teachers hired for to 315.
“Smaller class sizes mean teachers have more time to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each student early and help them succeed in their critical early years,”said Minister Allum. “We know that students are more likely to succeed when they have more time with their teachers and I would like to thank school divisions for supporting this important initiative.”
Since the launch of the initiative in 2011-12, the Manitoba government has invested more than $29 million to create or renovate 49 classrooms, creating an estimated 270 jobs and includes $180,000 in funding fora new kindergarten classroom at École Robert Browning School. This year the Manitoba government will invest $3 million for additional teachers, to support the smaller classes initiative, bringing the total funding for teachers this year to $10 million.
Minister Allum noted now more than 59 per cent of kindergarten to Grade 3 classes have 20 or fewer students and 87 per cent of these classes have no more than 23 students than prior to the initiative.
“With a growing number of children choosing French immersion in our catchment area, we are thrilled to be able to offer our kindergarten children and their families the most beautiful space to begin their school experience. This bright, spacious and very functional classroom is fully equipped with a water fountain and washrooms for our children to remain in close proximity to their teachers,” said Michelle Clarke, principal, École Robert Browning School. “This classroom permits teachers to plan spaces that enrich the learning experiences for all children and is a truly delightful, welcoming and well-designed space for early childhood learning. Our sincerest thanks for making this possible at École Robert Browning.”
“The St. James-Assiniboia School Division appreciates the extra funding that has been provided to assist with the smaller class sizes and the improvements to our school facilities,” said Ron Weston, chief superintendent for the division.
The Manitoba government is building and renovating schools across the province including six new schools under way, new and renovated gyms, new state-of-the-art science labs, high school shops, and new child-care centres, Minister Allum said.
As part of the smaller class initiative, school divisions are required to ensure kindergarten to Grade 3 classrooms are at 20 students or fewer by September 2017. A maximum of 10 per cent of classrooms per division can have the flexibility to go beyond the cap of 20 students to a maximum of 23.
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