It was a significant day for public education in Alberta, according to Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) president Jason Schilling.
On February 25, prior to tabling Budget 2026, the Government of Alberta announced that the education budget would be increasing by $722 million, or more than seven per cent. Touted by the province as a “historic investment” in Alberta’s education system, $10.8 billion—about $54 million per school day—has been allotted for education operational funding.
“Investing in the next generation of Albertans remains the utmost priority for our government,” said Premier Danielle Smith, making the funding announcement. She added that the government would continue to increase education funding over each of the next three years to address the challenges facing Alberta’s education system.
Also increasing is the budget line for independent schools and private early childhood services operators. At about 15 per cent, the increase is notable; however, the source of the increase, whether enrolment growth or funding formula changes, remains unclear. Greater clarity is expected when the Budget 2026 Funding Manual becomes available, likely in early April.
While details on the education budget are forthcoming, Minister of Education and Childcare Demetrios Nicolaides shared that the three priorities for the new education funding are supporting classroom staff, strengthening supports for students who need it most and addressing classroom complexity. In particular, $355 million is being allocated to address classroom complexity. Further, the budget expects an addition of 1,600 teachers this year.
The ATA acknowledged the significance of the announcement, with Schilling saying that this investment represents a meaningful step toward addressing the challenging learning conditions in Alberta schools.
“The government has announced a historic investment in our classrooms, one that recognizes the urgency of the crisis teachers have been describing for years,” said Schilling.
Ensuring promises are kept
The announcement follows historic labour action taken by teachers in fall 2025, which raised issues about teaching and learning conditions.
“[Teachers] told us loud and clear that the status quo was not sustainable and we listened,” said Smith.
Nicolaides likewise said that the investment into education responded to teacher concerns, noting that the province heard “the largest expression of teacher voices” during the strike.
“I think our investment today and through Budget 2026 […] demonstrates that we’re listening very carefully, but more importantly we’re taking teacher concerns and parent concerns very seriously and acting on those concerns,” Nicolaides said. “I do firmly believe it can be a strong demonstration of our intent to listen and respond effectively to the challenges we’re seeing.”
Schilling spoke on the importance of teachers’ advocacy efforts, tying them to the budget increase, and thanking members for standing together and speaking up this past year.
“Your courage, your advocacy and your unwavering commitment to your students during the challenges of this past fall have changed the course of public education in this province.”
He added that this funding increase results from not only teacher unity, but also the community’s vocal support for public education.
“This investment in Alberta’s classrooms belongs to every teacher who shared their story and every Albertan who stood beside them,” Schilling said.
While recognizing the significance of the funding increase, Schilling also emphasized that meaningful change will be measured not by announcements, but by the day-to-day realities in classrooms. For the ATA, the focus now shifts to how the funding makes its way into classrooms and whether it translates into tangible improvements for teachers and students across the province.
“Today, we acknowledge what we have achieved together. Tomorrow, we begin the work of ensuring these promises are kept,” Schilling said.
Breakdown of Budget 2026 commitments
- Hiring 1,600 teachers by 2026–27
- $300 million in new classroom complexity funding, in addition to previously announced amounts
- A further $55 million added to the classroom complexity grant
- A three per cent increase to base instruction funding, as well as transportation and technology grants
- Six per cent increases to program unit funding, moderate language delay, English as an additional language and francisation grants
- Three per cent increases to First Nations, Inuit and Métis; refugee; specialized learning supports; and francophone equivalency grants
- A five per cent increase to plant operations and maintenance funding
- A five per cent reduction to board and system administration funding
