February 1, 2017
Province Increases Funding For Schools
– – –Families Encouraged to Read Together During I Love to Read Month: Wishart
The Manitoba government is increasing funding for kindergarten to Grade 12 education with a $13.1-million boost to public schools, sustaining the overall budget at more than $1.3 billion per year, Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart announced today.
“Students and families across Manitoba understand the importance of a quality education and so does our government,” said Wishart. “Education is a fundamental building block for personal growth and success in life. Our government is taking steps to equip our children and youth with the skills they need to succeed.”
The announcement represents an overall one per cent increase in kindergarten to Grade 12 funding for the 2017-18 school year, an investment not only in Manitoba’s children and youth but in our province’s future, the minister noted.
Today’s funding announcement coincides with the proclamation of I Love to Read month in Manitoba, which is celebrated every February to encourage reading, writing and sharing in the joy of literacy.
Manitoba’s government is developing a comprehensive long-term literacy and numeracy strategy that will focus on building stronger foundations in the early years, and looks forward to seeking feedback from stakeholder groups, including parents and educators, later this year.
“Reading opens the door to opportunities not only in the workplace but in all aspects of life,” said Wishart. “We are focused on working together with our partners in Manitoba’s education system to improve student achievement, particularly in literacy and numeracy, to advance our goal of making Manitoba the most improved province in all of Canada.”
A copy of the proclamation can be found at www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/read_proc.pdf.
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