Manitoba Teachers\u2019 Society Brings Public Education Funding Concerns to Legislature for All-party Lobby Day<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Manitoba\u2019s public schools are being asked to do more with less while the provincial government has increased funding to independent schools by 14.8 per cent this year, compared with a 3.5 per cent increase in public school funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today \u2013 World Teachers\u2019 Day \u2013 that funding gap will be front and centre as The Manitoba Teachers\u2019 Society (MTS) brings its concerns to the legislature for an all-party lobby day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MTS provincial executive members will meet with MLAs from all parties to call for increased investment in public education and advocate for funding priorities that reflect the growing needs of students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The province\u2019s 2026-27 funding announcement provided $16.6 million more to independent schools, while public school operating funding increased by $51 million, or 3.5 per cent \u2013 a level that trails current inflation and may prove increasingly inadequate amid ongoing economic uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the same time, Manitoba\u2019s public schools are facing growing classroom complexity, teacher shortages, unmet student needs and increasing violence against educators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTeachers are being asked to do more with less while millions are flowing to independent schools. About 90 per cent of Manitoba students attend public schools. We have to ask whether this is the right priority for Manitoba students,\u201d said Lillian Klausen, president of the Manitoba Teachers\u2019 Society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MTS is calling for a review of the province\u2019s funding of independent schools and greater transparency about how public dollars are allocated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPublic schools don\u2019t get to turn students away. They are expected to meet the needs of every student who walks through the door, and they don\u2019t charge tuition. There is no ability to simply raise additional funds to meet the diverse needs of the student population,\u201d Klausen said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a 2026 MTS membership survey, 80 per cent of educators report that classroom complexity has increased over the past five years. Nearly half (48 per cent) now have more than six students with complex needs in their classroom \u2013 up from 8.1 per cent in 2017 and 23 per cent in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Students are paying the price for provincial underfunding when educators do not have the staffing, resources and supports they need to meet increasingly complex student needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The shortage of certified teachers is also adding to the pressure. Teacher shortages and unmet student needs mean students can wait longer for support while educators face increasing workloads and burnout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf we have limited education dollars, we should be asking where those dollars can have the greatest impact for students. Right now, the need in our public schools is undeniable,\u201d Klausen said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n