The Ontario government is investing a record $30.3 billion in education funding this year as part of its plan to protect Ontario and prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. This funding for the upcoming school year will ensure schools can continue to deliver high-quality education to the two million students returning to school next week, with a back-to-basics approach that prepares them with practical skills for good-paying, stable careers. The government is also opening a record 41 new and expanded schools this fall to provide students and teachers with modern learning environments they need to succeed.
"Our goal is clear: To provide students with the opportunity to succeed and grow, and ensure teachers have the resources and environment they need to inspire learning and help students thrive," said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. "We will continue to invest in safe, modern schools while strengthening accountability and transparency across Ontario's education system to ensure that every dollar invested is preparing students with practical skills for good-paying, stable careers."
Last spring, the government introduced the Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025, that, if passed, would strengthen government oversight, accountability and transparency in public school boards. This would allow the government to quickly respond to matters of public interest and make sure every dollar of this historic funding is directed to a back-to-basics approach that focuses on strengthening core skills in reading, writing and math, supporting students with special education needs and expanding access to mental health services.
The province is also opening 25 brand new schools and 16 school additions this fall, creating more than 17,700 student spaces and 1,650 licensed child care spaces to support growing communities. The new and expanded schools represent an infrastructure investment of more than $889.1 million that is a part of the government's $23 billion investment to build, renew and improve schools over 10 years.
The government's continued focus this school year is upholding public trust in Ontario's publicly funded education system and its plan to build a strong, accountable and well-supported public education system with a back-to-basics approach that is focused on improving student outcomes.
Quick Facts
- Over the past two years, the government has committed $1.3 billion annually to support new school buildings, school expansion and renovations across the province the highest level of school capital funding in Ontario's history.
- Since 2018, the government has supported about 300 school-related projects including child care, of which more than 100 are actively under construction.
- The government has introduced Bill 33: Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025 that, if passed, would strengthen oversight of school board finances, governance and program performance and grant the Minister of Education the authority to act swiftly in matters of public interest.
- When school boards fail to meet their responsibilities, the government has not hesitated to act. Supervisors have been appointed to five school boards to address concerns related to growing deficits, depleted reserves and mismanagement.
Additional Resources
- New Schools and School Expansions Opening in Ontario
- School board reviews and investigations
- Ontario Providing Record Education Funding while Ensuring School Board Accountability
- Education funding for school boards, 2025-2026
- Ontario to Introduce Legislation to Strengthen School Board Oversight
- Ontario Strengthening Governance, Accountability and Transparency in School Boards, Postsecondary Institutions and Children's Aid Societies
