Sask. authorities pledges ‘one-time’ $20-million enhance to training finances

Saskatchewan Schooling Minister Dustin Duncan says rising gas and insurance coverage prices are trigger for a one-time $20-million prime as much as the provincial training finances.

“Now that each one the (college division) budgets have been submitted we definitely have a greater understanding of the inflationary pressures round transportation,” Duncan stated in Regina Thursday, “in addition to different inflationary pressures like insurance coverage premiums which have been going up throughout the divisions.”

Duncan advised reporters that, as he engaged with Saskatchewan’s 27 college divisions whereas they drafted their budgets for the approaching college 12 months, he heard considerations round divisions’ plans to extend class sizes and in some instances mix a number of grades into one classroom.

He stated selections have been being made to scale back trainer and staffing ranges as divisions redirected cash in direction of gas and insurance coverage.

“We’re asking college divisions, based mostly on the funding every of them will obtain, to submit an amended finances, which we are going to then overview,” he stated.

“This does give time within the occasion that college divisions are going to be utilizing the funding to rent to undergo that course of and hopefully have these extra positions in place, perhaps not for the start of the college 12 months however early within the college 12 months.”

Duncan added that the announcement comes with the province “in a unique place budget-wise than we have been within the spring.”

“These numbers aren’t finalized. The primary quarter’s not even full but, however it appears to be we’re going to be in a unique place than we have been then,” he stated.

“Definitely know that this isn’t going to deal with all of the considerations they’ve talked about however college divisions need to make selections with the {dollars} they do have.”

As for future plans, Duncan promised his authorities will “hold an open dialogue with organizations like Saskatchewan College Boards Affiliation (SSBA).”

“We’re going to proceed to offer assets the place we will,” he stated.

“I feel there’s quite a lot of concentrate on the operational facet. The stability of that, although, is we’ve got a major construct throughout the province in the case of college divisions constructing and renovating faculties. That has to come back from someplace as effectively.”

The province’s newest finances included $168.6 million for ongoing capital initiatives together with the development of 15 new faculties and renovations at 5 extra.

Extra to come back…