FREDERICTON — Education minister Bill Hogan tabled the $1.9-billion budget for the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in the legislative assembly on Apr. 9, up $200 million from last year.
“The strategic investments we are making will ensure that the necessary support is available in light of our growing population, increased enrolment and newly opened schools,” Hogan said in a press release.
The budget includes $18.6 million to accommodate growing enrolment, in addition to $20.1 million in the 2024-25 budget to building a new anglophone kindergarten-to-Grade 12 school in Dieppe, replacing three schools in Fredericton and one in Salisbury, building an addition to Tabusintac Community School, and an addition and upgrade at École Saint-Henri in Moncton. An additional $165.4 million from that budget will go to 14 ongoing projects, including new schools in Fredericton, Moncton, and Shediac Cape, and the $38.1-million purchase of Leo Hayes High School in Fredericton, which was built under a public-private partnership.
Promising improved access to child care, the government is spending an additional $7.4 million through the Canada-New Brunswick Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. This will bring the total bill to $150.7 million in 2024-25.
This year, $4.1 million is earmarked for longer-term measures, such as teacher recruitment and retention, enhanced virtual learning, and leadership development among school leaders. The department is again spending $2 million for school food programs.
Other highlights include $4.4 million to support children with autism spectrum disorder, $7.4 million for support services “to address the diverse needs of students,” $24.3 million for rising operating costs (like energy and transportation), and $7.8 million “to provide support to reverse the effects of instruction time lost during the pandemic.”
“We are continually working to improve our education system,” said Hogan. “We are making additional investments to ensure all students, including newcomers, are supported and can access the tools they need to succeed.”