B.C.’s Education Minister says the province will be earmarking $101 million in federal funding for public schools in the province.
“This funding will be used in different ways by different school districts based on what their priorities are for additional resources for COVID safety,” Rob Fleming said. “It may be hiring additional teachers and supporting remote learning options where the need for that is great. It may be transportation or investments in a school around safety.”
Fleming noted the money to public schools will be allocated based on enrollment numbers. A further $7.9 million will go to independent schools, and $12.1 million will be reserved for issues related to COVID-19 as they arise.
This money is the first half of $242.4 million in federal funding which will be coming this month, with the rest of the money expected in January. This money is part of $2 billion announced by the federal government last week meant to help reopen safely.
“Every dollar of the federal funding announced will benefit students in B.C.,” Fleming added. “As the first week of school approaches, we want staff, students and their families to feel confident.”
The money can be used to buy personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies, modify teaching spaces and improve ventilation, or help buy software, computers and textbooks for families, as well as the creation of Wi-Fi hubs and mental health supports for students and staff, according to Fleming, noting there is no one size fits all approach.
“It’s going to look different depending on the needs of each community,” he said.
BCTF Pleased With Announcement
BC Teacher’s Federation President Teri Mooring says she is pleased with the announcement today that schools will be able to hire more teachers and staff as well as ensuring that remote learning options are available in all school districts.
“Meaningful and easy to access remote learning options will help reduce class sizes and school density,” she said. “Making sure there is space in classrooms and common areas in schools to allow everyone to abide by physical distancing best practices will help keep everyone safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
“Everyone in BC has heard that physical distancing is the most important measure to protect ourselves and others. So, let’s get to work making the changes we need now to use this funding to make working and learning conditions safer.”
Mooring says a $45.6 million funding announcement by the province to buy Personal Protective Equipment and for enhanced cleaning was previously described by the Minister of Education as ‘sufficient’ to meet the needs of school districts.
She says the focus for school districts should now be on using the federal funding to reduce class sizes and school density.
“Our local unions across the province will be advocating to ensure that federal funding is used in every community to maximize effective prevention measures like smaller classes and reduced density that includes equitable access to remote learning no matter where a student lives,” Mooring added. “The province has now passed this responsibility down to school districts and we will be working flat out to hold them accountable for worker and student safety.”
Students are expected back in class full time on September 10.
