Education Minister Rob Fleming’s funding announcement on Thursday is good news for our members and for a safe restart in B.C. schools.
If you missed the announcement, you can watch it on the B.C. government YouTube channel here. The announcement starts at minute 6:00.
The federal funding of $242.4 million builds on provincial funding of $45.6 million to support a safe restart for B.C.’s schools. Funding will allow schools to expand health and safety measures, purchase more personal protective equipment (PPE) and increase capacity for remote learning.
The Ministry release says that the funding will support school districts to hire and train more teachers and support staff for remote learning; purchase additional software licences, electronic course materials and textbooks; purchase computers or tablets; and create Wi-Fi hubs and internet access in remote and Indigenous communities.
The release highlights some areas where funding can be spent including learning resources and supports, health and safety, transportation, as well as before and after school care. Answering a question, Minister Fleming said that flexibility of funding allowed for hiring additional support staff, including custodians and attendants on buses.
Districts will determine where funds are allocated. This chart shows the amount of federal funding allocated to each district in the last column of Table A: SUMMARY OF GRANTS TO DATE 2020/2021.
Have a safe and happy Labour Day!
In solidarity and safety,
Warren Williams
K-12 Presidents Council President
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