The Saskatchewan government is boosting spending on education as enrolment continues to rise at schools and post-secondary institutions across the province.
Funding for primary education will increase 6.7 per cent this year, while spending on post-secondary education will rise 8.8 per cent.
The government will give school divisions an additional $17 million to deal with growth. Enrolment is projected to rise by more than 4,500 students in 2012 and 2013 combined. The province also plans to have 40 portable classrooms in place by this fall.
Another nearly $6 million in funding has been set aside to implement a new student assessment program.
Capital funding will total $119.6 million this year, up 6.4 per cent from 2012. That includes $18.7 million for the construction of major capital projects in Hudson Bay, Leader and Martensville, and $1.9 million to begin planning new schools in Langenburg and Gravelbourg.
The government will also spend an additional $600,000 to expand 15 new pre-kindergarten programs. Another $2.3 million will go toward creating an additional 500 child care spaces in the province.
On the post-secondary side, universities and colleges will see their base operating funding increase 2.1 per cent, while technical institutes will see a 3.1 per cent boost.
The budget also includes a $19.6 million increase for direct supports for post-secondary students, including a $12.2 million increase for tax credits through the Graduate Retention Program.
Capital funding for post-secondary capital will total $25.5 million this year. That includes $16.5 million for improvements, repairs and equipment, $4 million for the continued renovation and expansion of Southeast Regional College in Weyburn; and $1 million for planning a new trades and technology centre at Parkland Regional College in Yorkton.
