Safe Schools Plan: Nearly $29 Million Allocated In Third Round Of Contingency Funding For Schools

Released on March 11, 2021

Today, the Government of Saskatchewan is announcing nearly $29 million in approved funding to support schools during the pandemic.  This amount will help school divisions and independent schools with sanitation, substitute teacher costs, procure PPE, and assist schools in ensuring proper supports for students are in place for the fall of 2021.

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

This funding is in addition to the $37.5 million announced in December and the $51 million announced in September.  This funding is from the more than $150 million in the COVID contingency fund for education from provincial, federal and school division savings.

Fifty-three applications have been approved to provide new funding to school divisions, qualified independent schools and historical high schools.  The applications are primarily for sanitation and substitute teacher costs, totalling $3.1 million in funds.  In preparation for the fall, 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;
• Support 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.

In addition, $4.9 million from the nearly $29 million will be allocated to school divisions and independent schools to recognize previous and future purchases made directly for PPE required to maintain the safe operations of schools during the pandemic.

With this latest allocation, the remainder of the COVID contingency fund for education has been distributed to school divisions, independent schools and historical high schools.

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