Manitoba’s public education system is under strain because student needs have increased while funding has declined.
Teachers are supporting more students with exceptional learning and behavioural needs, responding to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, and addressing rising social and economic challenges such as housing instability and food insecurity.
When these needs grow without adequate funding, working conditions deteriorate and learning conditions suffer.
“We are not meeting the needs of our kids… society expects us to be the one-stop shop.” — Brandon teacher
Students Pay the Price for Underfunded Public Schools
After nearly a decade of austerity, Manitoba schools are being asked to do more with less.
In real dollars, provincial school funding peaked in 2016–17 and has declined every year since. This has resulted in larger class sizes, fewer educational supports, and reduced access to specialists and services.
Students pay the price when schools cannot provide the level of support required for learning and wellbeing.
As one Manitoba teacher put it:
“We’re managing more needs with fewer resources.”
Supports Are Disappearing as Needs Increase
- Educational Assistants: 67 per cent of teachers report decreased access
- Clinicians: 56 per cent report of teachers report decreased access
- Psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational and physiotherapists are rarely or never available
*MTS membership poll, Jan 2024
Violence in Schools Is Rising
Violence in Manitoba schools has become a serious and growing concern. This is not about blaming students — the root cause is underfunding. When classrooms and mental health supports are insufficient, students’ needs go unmet, and staff and students are at risk.
What Educators Are Experiencing
- 56 per cent say violence is a growing problem
- 52 per cent report more violent incidents than earlier in their careers
- 46 per cent say incidents are becoming more severe
- Nearly half experienced threats or physical violence in the past year
Impact on Educators:
- 34 per cent suffered psychological injury
- 9 per cent suffered physical injury
- Only 60 per cent of educators have received training on handling violence
Teachers are responding to high-risk situations without adequate staffing, training, or support.
*MTS membership poll, Jan 2024
Underfunded Public Schools Affect Us All
As provincial operating support has fallen, school divisions have had to rely more heavily on local property taxes to keep schools running. This shift increases pressure on homeowners and creates inequities between communities.
Underfunded public schools affect us all — students, families, educators, and taxpayers. When provincial funding falls short, the costs are shifted onto local communities, and the long-term social and economic impacts extend far beyond the classroom.
What Needs to Change
To restore learning conditions and plan for the future, funding must reflect the real cost of public education in Manitoba.
- Provincial operating support should cover at least 65 per cent of total school division funding.
- Funding must be stable and predictable, allowing schools to plan effectively and support students.
- A multi-year reinvestment plan is needed, with increases that go beyond inflation to recover losses from 2017–2024.
Take Action
Ask the provincial government to ensure education funding meets students’ growing needs, because strong learning conditions depend on strong working conditions.