Alberta's population is growing and that means more students throughout the province's education system. To address rising enrolment in Alberta schools, Alberta's government would provide more than $1.2 billion in funding for enrolment growth over the next three years, if Budget 2024 passes. This funding will empower school authorities to hire up to 3,100 additional teachers and classroom support staff across the province to address Alberta's growing classrooms.
"Budget 2024 builds on our commitment to address rising enrolment growth, meet the diverse needs of students in the classroom, and support school authorities to continue delivering a world-class education that sets students up for a lifetime of success. I am confident the investments we're making will help address enrolment pressures while bringing in more supports to teachers so they can help our students achieve their very best."
Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education
In addition, Budget 2024 provides more than $1.5 billion to school authorities over the next three years so they can continue to provide specialized learning supports. Included in the funding for specialized learning supports is a targeted $26-million increase, over the next three years, to the Program Unit Funding (PUF) program, bringing the total funding to $209 million in the 2024-25 school year.
Alberta Education provides PUF to school authorities and early childhood services operators to support children aged two years, eight months to six years who have severe disabilities or delays requiring support beyond what is offered in regular early childhood services programs. Across the country, Alberta is the only province to offer specialized programs through education for children this young. This increase would mean more children with severe disabilities and delays will receive help earlier, and parents will have the peace of mind that their children are receiving the supports they need to reach their full potential.
In addition to PUF, Budget 2024 includes $44 million for the 2024-25 school year to address increasing classroom complexities. Individual school authorities can use this funding to hire additional teachers and specialized classroom support staff so students receive the attention they need.
Of this $44 million, $1 million would be used to increase the number of educational assistant graduates in the province through a Provincial Education Assistant Training program that will support training for current or aspiring educational assistants.
"Alberta School Boards Association's (ASBA) public, Catholic and francophone member school boards remain committed to supporting student success and appreciate government's additional investments into enrolment and specialized learning supports. This funding will help address the unprecedented growth many school divisions are facing and provide much needed resources to address complex learning needs. We look forward to boards receiving the funding manual and operational funding profiles to assist in informed decision-making."
Marilyn Dennis, president, Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA)
"Rocky View Schools appreciates the announcement of additional funding for enrolment growth and classroom complexity from the government in supporting growing school divisions like ours. Our schools are seeing annual student population growth of 3 to 5 per cent combined with increasing complexities in classrooms. These new dollars can be put towards resources in our schools and classrooms, helping to address some of the pressures."
Fiona Gilbert, board chair, Rocky View Schools
In the 2024-25 fiscal year, the Ministry of Education's operating budget will reach an all-time high of almost $9.3 billion, an increase of 4.4 per cent compared to 2023-24, which reflects the government's focus on ensuring Alberta students and school staff have what they need to succeed.
Budget 2024 is a responsible plan to strengthen health care and education, build safe and supportive communities, manage the province's resources wisely and promote job creation to continue to build Alberta's competitive advantage.
Quick facts
- Learning support funding totalling more than $1.5 billion encompasses the following grants so that school authorities can support students with specialized learning needs:
- Classroom Complexity Grant
- English as an Additional Language and Francisation
- First Nations, Métis and Inuit Grant
- Geographic Grant
- Program Unit Funding (PUF)
- Refugee Student Grant
- School Nutrition Grant
- Socio-Economic Status Grant
- Specialized Learning Support Grant
- The increased funding of $6 million in 2024-25 and $10 million annually going forward for PUF will allow for two enrolment dates (September and February) and ensure all eligible children are enrolled and funded.
