The Manitoba government is increasing its investment in schools by $79.8 million for the 2026-27 school year.
Education and Early Childhood Minister Tracy Schmidt announced on Monday.
“Our government is committed to making sure every Manitoba family can count on strong, stable public schools, year after year. We are meeting the needs of students and communities by building new schools and feeding kids with our universal school food program,” said Schmidt. “This is good news for teachers, school divisions and families while building a brighter future for Manitoba’s students.”
$11.4 million goes towards public school funding to support divisions most affected by teacher salary harmonization. The 3.5 per cent funding increase for public schools will help manage enrolment changes and ensure students have the supports required to succeed.
School funding for the next school year will total $1.995 billion.
It includes:
- $51 million increase to help public schools with operating costs, which includes the investment in salary harmonization and technical vocational education;
- $30 million for a universal school nutrition program and Nello’s Law, which protects the program for years to come, plus an additional $3 million from the sale of U.S. alcohol products for the Children’s Nutrition Council;
- $15.2 million increase in capital support, which includes principal and interest costs related to building schools; and
- $16.6 million increase to independent schools under the funding agreement.
Manitoba is also building four new schools. One of which will be in southwest Brandon.
Locally By The Numbers:
A key note to come from the announcement was the lack of funding for Mountain View School Division. MVSD total funding equals $28.3 million. They will get $0.2 million more. That equals a change of only 0.7%. Of all school divisions in Manitoba, that is the lowest positive change.
In comparison, the Portage la Prairie School Division will get an increase of 6.8%. Brandon gets 6.4%, and Winnipeg gets an increase of 3.8%.
Also locally, the Pine Creek School Division will see an increase of 2.4% to $9.5 million. Turtle River's total funding will be 9.1%, an increase of 2.1%.
