Education and Child Care
British Columbia finished 2016 with more than $950 million worth of school construction projects underway – something the Province will be building on in 2017.
Budget 2016 provided a 16% increase in funding for building, upgrading and expanding schools. This funding is being used to strengthen B.C.’s education system and support student learning and success by investing in safe and secure schools.
Tackling increasing student enrolment in rapidly growing communities was a key focus in 2016. Work is underway to create more than 4,800 new student seats in Langley, Surrey and Coquitlam through the construction of new schools and classroom additions.
Government also made B.C.’s largest ever investment in a school with the $106.5-million commitment to replace New Westminster Secondary school. This new home for the Hyacks will house 2,100 students when it opens in 2019.
Across the province, tremendous progress has been made upgrading and replacing seismic high-risk schools to improve student safety. To date, 160 projects have been completed under B.C.’s Seismic Mitigation Program. With 224 projects either completed or in progress, government is on track to complete the remaining 118 schools. In Vancouver alone, there are nine projects worth more than $200 million currently underway.
The Campbell River School District had funding approved for its final high-risk mitigation project last year. When complete the district will be the 10th to have seismically replaced or upgraded all high-risk schools.
Government also invested $65-million under the School Enhancement Program to extend the life of B.C. schools and ensure students have comfortable and up-to-date learning environments. There are currently 341 improvement projects underway, including flooring, roofing and plumbing upgrades.
Government is able to invest in new school construction, upgrades and seismic mitigation projects to support student learning and community growth thanks to the Province’s fiscal discipline and strong economy.
Quote:
Mike Bernier, Minister of Education –
“We are able to make record investments in our schools thanks to our strong economy in B.C. With almost $1-billion worth of new school construction, upgrades and expansion projects complete or underway, we’re ensuring students have the space they need to learn and succeed in 2017 and for many years to come.”
Quick Facts:
- Since 2001, government has invested about $4.5 billion for school capital projects, including:
- 192 school additions completed;
- 160 seismic high-risk school replacements or upgrades completed;
- 123 new and replacement schools built;
- almost 400 school enhancement projects completed;
- 32 sites acquired; and
- 30 school renovations.
- Budget 2016 provides $1.7 billion over three years to replace aging facilities, build more student spaces in growing communities, and improve seismic safety.
- Government has set aside $560 million over next three years to address high-risk seismic projects.
- Government has invested $1.2 billion to complete 160 high-risk seismic projects under B.C.’s award-winning and globally recognized Seismic Mitigation Program launched in 2004.
Learn More:
Seismic Mitigation Program: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/seismic-mitigation-program
New curriculum: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/
Capital Planning: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/administration/resource-management/capital-planning
For more information about capital investments in specific school districts, visit: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/administration/kindergarten-to-grade-12/school-district-profiles
A backgrounder follows.
