Millions of dollars in savings to be put into classroom learning: Goertzen

#Manitoba; #ManitobaSchools; #ManitobaSavings

Manitoba, Jul 8 (Canadian-Media): Manitoba Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced on July 8, $48 million for school divisions to cover unanticipated costs of the COVID-19 pandemic and to reopen classrooms in September after the suspension of classroom learning during the past school year, media reports said

Kelvin Goertzen. Image credit: Twitter handle

“Our government’s goal is to focus school funding on classrooms to ensure Manitoba students can thrive and excel,” said Goertzen in a news release. “This is even more important as our province gradually emerges from the grip of COVID-19, and as we continue our plans to return to in-class teaching and learning this fall.”

Millions of dollars saved by the Manitoba government and the school divisions by limiting non-essential spending during the early days of the pandemic were invested in the improvements to technology for remote learning and the remaining savings will go toward costs to reopening classrooms in September as well as for public health measures that may be in place.

In addition, more than $4 million per year will be redirected to classrooms after Manitoba school divisions identified this sum in annual savings as part of an executive management streamlining across multiple public-sector organizations, Goertzen noted.

The fiscal sustainability measures have involved executive compensation, management streamlining and staff efficiencies. School divisions were directed to reduce their executive and senior management complements by 15 percent by Sept 1.

“This is good news for students and parents as it will mean more spent on improving classroom learning,” said Goertzen. “The government measures ensure fiscal sustainability will make a positive impact on Manitoba schools and the education of students across the province.”

Medium-sized and large school divisions were expected to reduce their numbers of positions by 15 percent, which in turn will reduce managerial salaries and operating costs by 15 percent, he added.