Students in the Central Okanagan School District will benefit from $3.8 million in provincial funding for a school upgrade project, classroom supplies and nine new school buses, MLA Steve Thomson announced today on behalf of Education Minister Mike Bernier.

The district will extend the life of George Elliott Secondary school with $1.5 million in School Enhancement Program funding to upgrade the plumbing lines. Every school district will receive a portion of this year’s $53-million investment, supporting 223 projects.

Under the new Student Learning Grant, the district will receive $1.1 million to purchase classroom equipment and supplies such as textbooks, lab equipment and art supplies. The district will begin back-to-school planning with parents and teachers now to determine how best to use the one-time funding to reduce costs for parents and help teachers deliver B.C.’s new curriculum. This one-time grant is providing school districts with a total of $27.4 million.

Students in the district will also benefit from nine 34-76 passenger school buses, thanks to $1.2 million in School Bus Replacement Program funding. This year government is investing a total of $9.4 million to purchase about 71 new or replacement buses in 25 districts under the program.

As a result of B.C.’s strong economy and balanced budget, the Government of British Columbia is able to support record funding increases for students and B.C.’s education system. Budget 2017 commits an additional $740 million in operating funds over the next three years. Combined with $400 million in previously announced budget increases, this means an additional $1.1 billion in funding will benefit the K-12 system over the next three years. In addition, Budget 2017 supports $2 billion in capital spending to upgrade or build new schools over the next three years. 

Quotes:

Steve Thomson, MLA for Kelowna-Mission –

“We want to ensure that students are provided with reliable transportation from home, to the classroom, and then back. These new vehicles will also give parents peace of mind that their children are travelling safely on the road.”

Premier Christy Clark, MLA for Westside-Kelowna –

“B.C. has Canada’s leading economy, which means we are able to make record investments in education. This funding means better equipment and supplies, and comfortable new buses.”

Norm Letnick, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country –

“The $1.1 million allocated under the Student Learning Grant will fund new classroom supplies at a rate of about $50 per student. The fact that parents and teachers will play a part in back-to-school planning will ensure that local priorities are addressed.”

Dan Ashton, MLA for Penticton –

“The greatest gift we can give our children is an education. That is why our government is committed to supporting student learning and protecting the quality of B.C.’s education system. This $3.8 million investment is a tremendous benefit to our school district and I look forward to even more investments in our school system.”

Quick Facts:

• In total, government is investing $95 million under these programs to ensure students have the services, environment and tools they need to succeed. Every school district in B.C. will receive a portion of this funding.
• Including today’s announcement, government has invested a total of $153 million under the School Enhancement Program since it was launched in 2014. In total, almost 623 school improvement projects have been approved under the program.
• The Student Learning Grant provides one-time funding to help schools and teachers with the cost of classroom tools and equipment to support B.C.’s new curriculum. Of the $29.4-million grant, school districts are receiving a total of $27.4 million and independent schools are receiving $2 million.
• Each year, government spends about $5 million in Carbon Neutral Capital Program funding for school projects that cut greenhouse gas emissions.
• Each year, government provides about $10 million in School Bus Replacement Program funding to help school districts purchase new and replacement school buses to ensure students have access to safe and reliable transportation.

Learn More:

Student Learning Grant: http://ow.ly/ibEm309kJbQ

Carbon Neutral Capital Program: http://ow.ly/7rfi309kMdZ

School Capital Planning: http://ow.ly/slzM309kJwS

B.C.’s new curriculum: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/