Québec City, March 22, 2023 – The Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA) was present for the provincial budget lock-up and speech yesterday in Québec City.
The government has allocated an overall 5.7% increase for system costs. The budget calls for an additional $200 million allocation over five years to promote vocational training of that, $29 million in 2023-2024, English boards hold roughly 10% of student population.
Increase of 10% in the 2023-2024 envelope for the maintenance of schools, which will not be sufficient to make a significant improvement in the condition of our buildings, of which some are in dramatic need of repairs and upgrades. Investments of $67.5 million are provided over five years to address the labour shortage in education.
Finally, School transportation envelope will be increased 12% and other measures among which: Improve youth literacy and numeracy, support students with special needs and foster access to special education projects.
“As we say every year, the detail will only be known from this budget when the parameters are finally available somewhere in May,” said QESBA Executive Director Russell Copeman.
“We will comment further later in the spring when we have tangible detail on the direct impact to our system,” concluded the Executive Director.
QESBA is the voice of English public education in Québec and represents 100,000 students in over 300 elementary, high schools, and adult and vocational centres across Québec.