This release was issued under a previous government.

As a result, more children will go to school in their own neighbourhood; school boards and post secondary institutions will be able to address growth pressures; more help will be available for children who require additional learning supports; and post-secondary institutions will become more accessible.

“This budget focuses on our commitment to students and ensures school boards have enough funding to manage growth in the years to come,” said Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk. “By providing three years of funding certainty and greater expectations around reporting, we are assuring parents that dollars are going where they will have their greatest impact—on students in the classroom.”

Budget 2012 invests $6.5 billion in K-12 funding that will provide a world-class education for nearly 600,000 Alberta children. Budget highlights include:

  • School boards will receive base instruction and class size grant rate increases of one per cent in 2012-13, and two per cent for each of the following two years. All other grant areas will receive two per cent increases for each of the next three years.
  • Nearly $375 million will support inclusive education and assist children who require additional learning supports and programming, an increase of 22 per cent. This includes a new $68-million school year grant to help ensure Alberta schools can meet the needs of a diverse student population.
  • Another $289 million will support the safe and efficient transportation of students across Alberta every school day, an increase of $14 million.
  • Over the next three years, more than $1 billion will be invested in school infrastructure. This funding will support the continued planning and construction of 45 new and replacement schools and 31 major renovation projects. In 2012, 14 new schools will open their doors to more than 10,000 students.

“Budget 2012 also reinforces our strong commitment to lifelong learning,” said Greg Weadick, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. “Alberta’s universities, colleges and technical institutes are world leaders, with innovative programming, excellent teaching and ground-breaking research. We want them to maintain that stellar reputation.”

Highlights of Advanced Education and Technology’s $2.9 billion budget include:

  • Alberta’s publicly funded colleges, universities and technical institutes will receive two per cent increases in operating grants in each of the next three years. This ensures post-secondary institutions can plan to effectively meet growing enrolment expectations and address priorities.
  • Alberta will continue to provide more money in scholarships to deserving students than all other provinces combined, with 37,500 students sharing more than $71 million.
  • An additional $129 million will support students through needs-based bursaries; debt management and repayment support; and the Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan.
  • Nearly $274 million in loan support is being provided to over 53,000 students to ensure finances are not a barrier to learning.

For more information on Budget 2012, please visit http://budget2012.alberta.ca

-30-

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Janice Schroeder
Director of Communications
Education
Phone: 780-427-5423

Kim Capstick
Director of Communications
Advanced Education and Technology
Phone: 780-422-1562

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.