Premier announces immediate education funding increase

Premier Scott Moe wasted little time working towards one of his campaign trail promises.

Moe pledged to provide $30 million towards education while he was running to become the next leader of the Sask. Party.

On Tuesday, Moe announced immediate funding of $7.5 million which will be provided to school divisions to assist with front line pressures.

The funding will allow school divisions to hire education professionals immediately.

The government said the money will increase to $30 million directed at hiring 400 in-school education professionals and other priorities in the 2018-19 budget.

“Over the last several months, I have heard from parents and educators that additional funding is essential to ensure that our children receive the highest quality education possible,” Moe said in a news release.

The Ministry of Education will distribute the funding through the current funding formula and will work closely with school divisions to ensure the funding increase is distributed quickly.

Despite the deficit, the $7.5 million has been found through savings across all government, but more will be known about how that was achieved in the third quarter financial report which is expected shortly.

The funding boost is being welcomed by education stakeholders, like the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA).

“The government is prioritizing education and putting it into the classroom,” SSBA President Shawn Davidson told reporters at the legislature Tuesday. “It is a welcome message to our sector that public education is a priority and we are going to see some restored and renewed funding going forward and an investment in our students.”

School divisions will have the freedom to spend the money allocated as they see fit.