Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides says the latest curriculum revision 'moves the needle' on expert concerns about content.
Alberta's government will build up to 30 new public schools, modernize five older schools and fund five charter school construction projects annually for three years, starting next year, cabinet ministers say.Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said he's confident the government's school construction promises will meet the enrolment pressures on schools.
Also, after years of defending a school operational funding formula the United Conservative Party government created in 2020, Premier Danielle Smith said her government is reviewing whether it works in an era of dramatic enrolment growth."The funding model was working for us when we had declining enrolment," Smith said Wednesday. "It's to protect school boards that they don't end up with a dramatic reduction.
Alberta's population has been growing, partly in response to a government-funded advertising campaign to draw newcomers to the province. Now, the provincial government says adding more than 200,000 new residents in 2023 is causing strain on public services and buildings, like schools.Enrolment growth disproportionately affects schools in urban centres and their bedroom communities.
"There is momentum, and we are ready for it. I say bring out the shovels and bring on the schools," Kusiek said.Nicolaides said the government's school construction investment will also fund between five and eight renovations or expansions of mostly rural aging school buildings.Beginning in spring 2025, the government will purchase enough new modular classrooms to create space for another 20,000 students over four years, Nicolaides said.
Currently, proposed builds must meet criteria to pass through a series of "gates" to be approved for public funding.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hundreds flock to Alberta legislature grounds to celebrate Alberta DayHundreds of people flocked to the legislature grounds Sunday for celebrations.
Read more »
Alberta government announces new governance agreement with Legal Aid AlbertaThe new governance agreement will come into effect on Friday.
Read more »
Opt-in sex education policies coming to Alberta classrooms this fall, province saysNew Brunswick student performance was about a year and a half behind that of their peers in Canada and other OECD countries, says Lucia Tramonte, a University of New Brunswick professor and co-director of the Canadian Research Institute for Social Policy.
Read more »
7 new Alberta collegiate high school programs encourage career-focused educationThe province announced Tuesday the addition of seven collegiate programs at Alberta schools, with three of them in Calgary.
Read more »
Alberta government to pursue legislation this fall on opt-in sex education in schoolsEducation Minister Demetrios Nicolaides, in a statement, said school boards, teachers, superintendents and parents are being consulted.
Read more »
Alberta government to pursue legislation this fall on opt-in sex education in schoolsIt’s not clear what the legislation might look like, but Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said in February it would involve parents opting-in their children to each formal lesson on sexual health
Read more »