Burnaby MLAs welcome school upgrades for students in our community

BURNABY – Local MLA’s Anne Kang, Janet Routledge, Minister Katrina Chen and Raj Chouhan say students in Burnaby will benefit from safer, more efficient and more comfortable schools thanks to over $5.5 million in provincial funding for school upgrade projects in the Burnaby School District.

Burnaby School District is receiving $5,587,114 in total funding, including:

  • $811,000 in School Enhancement Program funding for roof and mechanical upgrades at Alpha Secondary and lighting upgrades at Burnaby Mountain Secondary.
  • $200,000 in provincial Carbon Neutral Capital Program funding for energy efficient upgrades to the boiler system at South Slope Elementary.
  • $4,576,114 in Annual Facilities Grant (AFG) funding, which flows to the Burnaby School District annually for routine school maintenance costs.

These funding programs are part of a $198-million provincial investment under the Annual Facilities Grant, School Enhancement Program, Carbon Neutral Capital Program and Bus Replacement Program, to ensure students have well-maintained learning environments and bus services that are safe, comfortable and efficient.

The provincial government has boosted school maintenance funding by more than $20 million over last year, and has increased the AFG for the first time since 2004/05. The increase in funding will help ensure that students, teachers and school district staff can focus their energy where it matters most – in the classroom.

Provincial news release and backgrounder: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018EDUC0015-000500

MLA Quotes 

“As a former teacher, I could not be more proud of our government’s commitment to ensuring that kids are safe and comfortable at school. These are some of the first steps our new government is taking to turn the page on years of neglect on education. Kids learn better and educators are better able to do their jobs when our education system has the proper resources.” Anne Kang, MLA for Burnaby-Deer Lake.

“For too long, many school maintenance projects and upgrades were put on hold due to a lack of funds. I am delighted that our government is moving in a different direction and putting students’ education first. These important upgrades to Alpha Secondary and other schools in Burnaby will mean students and staff can learn and work in an environment that is safe and well-maintained.” Janet Routledge, MLA for Burnaby-North.

“We know that our children deserve the best, and that includes the facilities they spend their days in. After many tough years in education, our new government is making different choices. These investments, along with this year’s new teacher hires, will help ensure kids are given the best possible start in our Burnaby schools.” Katrina Chen, MLA for Burnaby-Lougheed and Minister of State for Child Care.

“This funding boost marks the first increase to the Annual Facilities Grants in B.C. schools in over a decade. I am proud that our new government is beginning a new chapter in education in B.C. – hiring 3,700 new teachers across the province, and investing so our children can learn in properly maintained schools.” Raj Chouhan, MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds.