Sask. schools get another $29M in COVID contingency funding

The Saskatchewan government is putting another $29 million into the province’s schools as they deal with COVID-19.

In a media release Thursday, the government said the funds will help school divisions and independent schools pay for sanitation, personal protective equipment and costs associated with substitute teachers. It also will assist schools make sure proper supports for students are in place for the fall.

The government also announced $37.5 million in funding in December and $51 million in September. The money is coming from the $150 million that was in the COVID contingency fund for education from provincial, federal and school division savings.

“This third round of funding will ensure school divisions continue to have the resources needed to keep schools safe for students and staff,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said in the release.

“Nearly $21 million of this funding allocation will provide the supports necessary for school divisions as they make preparations for the fall.”

Fifty-three applications from school divisions, qualified independent schools and historical high schools were approved.

Sanitation and substitute teacher costs accounted for $3.1 million in the applications.

School divisions are receiving $20.7 million to be used for interventions for Grade 1 students who did not attend kindergarten in 2020-21, interventions to support Grade 1 to 3 students who are behind in their reading levels, allowing staff to reach out and engage with students and families that did not attend or had low attendance in 2020-21, supporting student mental health, and sanitation and PPE.

Another $4.9 million is going to school divisions and independent schools for purchases of PPE.