The Ford government plans to increase funding for school boards across the province to $24.66-billion for the 2019-20 school year.
That's an increase of $130-million over last year and works out to about $12,246 per pupil.
Included in the increase is money that the government says will mean school boards will not have to lay off teachers. The new Attrition Protection Allocation will be included in the budget for education for up to four years. School boards can use it if teachers face layoff because of class size changes or e-learning outnumbers those who are retiring.
"With attrition protection funding support in place, school boards should have sufficient funding to avoid laying off teachers who may be impacted by our proposed changes," said Education Minister Lisa Thompson.
The Ministry of Education announced the increase Friday after several school boards across Ontario complained the changes would force them to layoff front-line teachers. Premier Doug Ford had previously promised no teacher would lose their job.
Another $330-million Priorities and Partnerships Fund will support time-limited initiatives that help students in the classroom.
