Funding to school boards in Budget 2015 will honour the last year of the current collective agreement with teachers. The commitment to protect classroom teachers will help set up long-term success. In addition, approximately $10 million from the Alberta Education department budget will be reallocated to school boards, to help mitigate funding pressures in other areas.

Fifty million dollars from the Access to the Future Fund will help Campus Alberta move towards a more sustainable model that delivers excellence and accessibility. Enhancements to student aid programming will ensure Albertans have the support they need to access educational opportunities.

“From kindergarten to university degrees, high quality education prepares our students to achieve their personal potential. This budget starts to balance our three responsibilities: accessible, high quality education for students; fair compensation to educators; and greater value for all Albertans.”

Jim Prentice, Premier

“We remain committed to ensuring the success of our students. This is why the budget decisions we made focus on supporting students in the classroom. Because after parents, teachers are the single most important contributor to student success.”

Gordon Dirks, Minister of Education

“Albertans expect and deserve a post-secondary system that gives them the skills they need to succeed and that helps the province meet its goals for the future. Budget 2015 will help create a post-secondary system based on excellence, financial sustainability and accessibility. It also maintains capital commitments, while making significant enhancements to student aid.”

Don Scott, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education

Budget 2015 Highlights

Education

$89 million increase to honour teachers’ negotiated salary agreement. Classroom teaching positions are protected.

  • $10 million in departmental administrative savings will be reallocated to school boards to help mitigate funding pressures.
    • Teacher compensation is approximately 60 per cent of school boards’ budgets.
  • School board non-teacher spending reduced by three per cent.
    • No increase for student enrolment growth.
  • School capital projects going ahead.
    • Most projects announced in 2013 and early 2014 will open in 2016-17.
    • Cabinet committee oversight is streamlining processes so schools open on time.

Innovation and Advanced Education

$2 billion in operating grants to institutions in 2015-16.

  • Operating grant reductions to Campus Alberta institutions will be phased-in:
    • 1.4 per cent in 2015-16.
    • 2.7 per cent in 2016-17.
  • $50 million from Access to the Future Fund to transition Campus Alberta
    • Develop centres of excellence, find cost savings through shared services, amalgamate programs, implement innovative program delivery, other innovations.
  • $1.1 billion over five years for facilities, including eight previously announced capital projects in Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge and Red Deer.
  • $50 million over two years to help Alberta-based entrepreneurs access investment capital and mentorships.
  • Department administrative funding is reduced by 6.5 per cent in 2015-16.

Improvements to the student aid program:

  • Includes $35 million reinvestment of the Completion Incentive Grant to:
    • increase student loan limits and living allowances;
    • double the Alberta Low Income Grant and increase funding to Aboriginal learners; and
    • make student loans and grants available to apprentices.
  • $9 million from the Alberta Heritage Scholarship Fund for apprentices, including Aboriginal learners.

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