Investor

The investor for this venture is the BC Ministry of Education.

The Ministry of Education represents the second-largest budget expenditure amongst BC's ministries. Accounting for 11% of the overall provincial budget, this Ministry's budget increases to 34% of the overall budget when school districts, universities, colleges and institutes are included.

For 2021-2022, supplemental funding for students with special needs increased by $37M to $664M, which represents 9.83% of this Ministry's annual operating budget.

The Premier has provided the Minister of Education with a Ministerial Mandate Letter which includes direction to address the following tasks:

    • Equity and anti-racism: Our province's history, identity and strength are rooted in its diverse population. Yet racialized and marginalized people face historic and present-day barriers that limit their full participation in their communities, workplaces, government and their lives.

    • Support COVID-19 recovery by fast-tracking improvements to online and remote learning, including investing in more computers and tablets, more training for teachers and support staff, and new ways to improve social e-learning to promote group interactions between students and teachers.

    • Build on investments into mental health supports for students and staff to better support children and youth with special needs and their families.

    • Deliver targeted investments to help make sure students have the classroom supplies they need to succeed, so parents and teachers don’t have to pay the full cost out-of-pocket.


The Ministry was also provided with a Service Plan, which includes the following goals and objectives:

    • Purpose of Ministry

      • By continually focusing on improving results and striving for equity of access and outcomes for all learners, the Ministry of Education places student success and well-being at the centre of its mandate.

    • Performance Planning - Goal 1: All Students Become Educated Citizens

      • The ministry continually seeks to improve outcomes and enhance education experiences for each student to prepare them in achieving their career and life goals, no matter their background, learning needs, orientation, or where they live.

        • Objective 1.1: Support Student-Centered Learning and Improve Equity of Outcomes

          • Centering learning around the student acknowledges the reality that each learner is different and so are their needs.

          • The ministry aims to provide inclusive and responsive learning environments that recognize the value of diversity and provide equity of access, opportunity, and outcomes for all students from early years to graduation.

          • Modernize and improve online learning in BC by addressing issues of quality, equity, accountability and access for students and teachers, and promoting group interactions.

  • Performance Planning - Goal 2: Learning Environments Foster Healthy and Effective Learning

    • Every student deserves a safe and caring environment to help them learn and develop their potential. Supporting healthy and effective learning environments is of paramount importance for the ministry.

      • Objective 2.2: Support Student and Staff Well-Being

        • Engage stakeholders to determine gaps in the provision of classroom supplies and how a supplies program may support the most vulnerable students.

        • Students who feel safe, have a strong sense of belonging, and feel that adults in their school care for them, are more engaged and more likely to move through their education program on pace. They are also more inspired to explore their aptitudes and interests.