British Columbia is looking to ease the burden of back-to-school costs with a one-time $60-million fund that expands meal programs and helps families pay for supplies and field trips.
Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside says families are already struggling with rising costs due to inflation and the government’s fund aims to take the sting out of costs associated with the return to school next month.
Whiteside says every school district in the province will receive a minimum of $250,000.
The Greater Victoria School District will receive $1,953,010, while the Sooke and Saanich school districts will receive $1,251,529 and $737,162, respectively.
Elsewhere on Vancouver Island, the Cowichan Valley school district will receive $880,984, Nanaimo-Ladysmith will receive $1,458,182, Qualicum will receive $448,698, Comox Valley will receive $980,354 and Campbell River will receive $607,563. The Vancouver Island North and West school districts will each receive $250,000.
The president of B.C.’s Confederation of Advisory Councils says the affordability initiative will allow individual schools and school districts to provide relief to families in need.
Chris Schultz-Lorentzen says families will be encouraged to reach out to their advisory councils and school principals to get a share of the funding.
Whiteside says the fund is one of a number of measures the government will deliver in the coming days to help people hardest hit by inflation.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 29, 2022.
The Canadian Press
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