Provincial Budget - Education
On March 27, the Ontario government released it 2012-13 Provincial Budget outlining several austerity measures that will keep Ontario moving forward and on track to balancing its Budget by 2017-18. While the Ontario government is looking at ways to reduce spending and increase efficiencies, the 2012 Budget remains committed to several key education initiatives, including full implementation of full-day kindergarten for four- and five-year olds by September 2014, retaining the Primary Class Size Cap, and providing a 30% Off Ontario Tuition grant for eligible full-time undergraduate university or college students. Other education sector initiatives outlined in the Budget include:
- working with Boards to identify potential Board Amalgamations in areas of low population growth and declining enrolment. This will help reduce administrative and office expenses. This will not include amalgamation of public and catholic school boards;
- continue working with Boards to find efficiencies through transportation consortia and competitive procurement;
- moving to cap successful secondary credits at 34 (4 more than the Ontario Secondary School Diploma requires); and
- integrating training programs to make them more responsive to today`s job market.
For more information on the 2012 Ontario Budget, please visit http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/budget/ontariobudgets/2012/.








