Province will spend $50 million to reduce school fees by 25%
Alberta parents won’t be writing quite as many cheques this September.
With the first bill of the spring session, the NDP government plans to spend about $50 million to cover school fees for instructional supplies and busing. That adds up to about 25 per cent of the total school fees parents currently pay.
The government hopes to have the change take effect before the start of the 2017-18 school year.
A family in Edmonton with three kids being bused to school could expect to save up to $1,000 next year. In Calgary, the savings could be higher. The fees vary across the province.
Premier Rachel Notley described the bill Thursday as “first steps” and said the province is cutting fees they consider foundational to public education.
“These fundamental fees, these instructional fees, are at the heart and soul of a public education ... So those are the ones we decided to focus on,” Notley told a news conference at the legislature after the bill was introduced.
The bill moves the government toward fulfilling an NDP campaign promise to cut school fees in half. In the NDP platform, the price tag for that was $45 million, less than the cost of the one-quarter cut announced Thursday.
Notley wouldn’t commit yet to cutting the fees in half before the 2019 election, but noted the government had already spent as much on cutting fees as it promised in the party’s platform.
The cut in fees for instructional materials will affect 600,000 students across the province, and the removal of busing fees will affect 145,000 students.
Education Minister David Eggen said the money to cover the fees comes from the existing education budget. Cuts were made through attrition in the department and eliminating redundant grants.
Public school board chair Joy Bowen-Eyre welcomed the proposed elimination of school fees
School fees went in so many directions. It was really the Wild West out there
in Thursday’s throne speech, saying many families have told her increasing costs have become too much of a hardship.
“We are thrilled. We are thrilled for our families and for our students.
“September is always such a difficult time when families have to pay... so anytime you can reduce fees for families it’s a great thing.”
Catholic school chair Cheryl Low echoed comments made by Bowen-Eyre: “We are pleased that education continues to be a priority for this government. While we are working through the initial details, this bill is a positive step in supporting our families and our students.”
Eggen said regulation is necessary to bring balance to the system, because a lack of funding in previous years meant schools were making it up with fees.
“School fees went in so many directions. It was really the Wild West out there,” said Eggen.
Meanwhile, Wildrose Leader Brian Jean said the plan doesn’t go far enough and called on the government to remove all fees.