New funding does not solve large class size problem

A funding boost recently announced by the government is welcome but is not nearly enough to address Alberta’s class size crisis, says ATA president Jason Schilling.

“By adding students without funding school boards to hire enough teachers and other support staff, it is guaranteed that class sizes and classroom conditions will just continue to worsen,” he said. “While any injection of funding to schools is appreciated, today’s announcement falls well short of what’s required to improve conditions in schools. In fact, this announcement does not even stop the situation from getting worse.”

School boards will receive $1,500 per student for actual enrolment growth between zero and 100 students and $2,000 per student for growth exceeding 100 students. 

The funding will be allocated in December through the supplemental enrolment growth grant. For 2023–24, the grant has been changed so all school boards experiencing growth will receive student funding. Previously, only school boards with enrolment growth of more than two per cent were eligible for the grant. Funding will be allocated based on the previous school year or the revised formula, whichever option offers more funding.

“Alberta continues to attract people from across Canada and around the world. We’ve seen many newcomers to Alberta in recent months, meaning more kids registering in our schools,” said Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides. “We know schools are facing enrolment pressures, so we are providing school authorities with more funding to better support schools and students.”

Schilling agrees this year’s growth in student enrolment is unprecedented. Estimates from school boards suggest enrolment will be up by at least 20,000 students over last year. Yet school boards are short about $135 million this year because the province will not fully fund these students, Schilling said.

He pointed out that the Alberta government had an $11.6 billion surplus last year and is projecting a $5.5 billion surplus this year. 

“The government has the money; it just needs the political will,” Schilling said.

He suggested that Albertans want to spend more on public education, as public opinion polling shows 68 per cent of Albertans believe the province is not spending enough on public education, and 72 per cent of Albertans feel class sizes are too large.

“Why are we choosing to continue to cut the level of per-pupil funding when we already have the lowest funded public education system in Canada?” Schilling said. “This funding is obviously welcome, but it is nowhere near enough. Alberta’s students deserve better.”