The provincial government is making what it calls an “historic” $1.1-billion investment to repair and renew schools across the province.
The funding builds on $1.6 billion in existing funding that has been allocated for repairs and renewals over the next two school years, for a total of $2.7 billion.
It will enable school boards to repair roofs, update HVAC units and modernize electrical and plumbing systems.
It will also significantly improve more visible elements of schools that impact students' learning and well-being, including flooring, walls, ceilings, playing fields and more.
This funding is being allocated to school boards in proportion to their renewal needs. Information about school board allocations will be available in the coming weeks.
To support transparency in this investment, the government will publicly post detailed information regarding the condition and renewal needs of each of Ontario’s 4,900 public schools.
This funding represents an increase in funding for elementary and secondary school renewal of $500 million for the 2015-16 school year and $575 million for the 2016-17 school year.
This new funding addresses the Auditor General of Ontario’s recommendations in 2015 to increase investment in school renewal to 2.5 per cent of schools’ replacement value and to direct two-thirds of infrastructure investment in schools to renewal over new construction.
"Investing in our schools is one of the most important infrastructure investments we can make for nearly two million students in Ontario,” said Mitzie Hunter, the province's education minister.
“Our government believes in better buildings for better learning and well-being. Making sure schools across the province are in a state of good repair is an essential part of supporting student achievement. The investment announced today is great news for students, educators, communities, and the economy."
