Toronto — The Ontario government is making its largest-ever investment in public education, pledging $30.3 billion for the 2025–26 school year. The record funding, announced Thursday by the Ministry of Education, comes as more than two million students prepare to return to classrooms next week.
The government says the funding is aimed at delivering high-quality education while emphasizing a “back-to-basics” strategy that prioritizes reading, writing, math, and practical skills. At the same time, the province is opening 41 new and expanded schools this fall — the largest single-year addition in Ontario’s history.
“Our goal is clear: To provide students with the opportunity to succeed and grow, and ensure teachers have the resources and environment they need to inspire learning and help students thrive,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “We will continue to invest in safe, modern schools while strengthening accountability and transparency across Ontario’s education system to ensure that every dollar invested is preparing students with practical skills for good-paying, stable careers.”
Focus on Infrastructure
The new capital projects include 25 brand-new schools and 16 additions across Ontario, creating over 17,700 student spaces and 1,650 licensed child care spaces. The combined infrastructure represents more than $889 million in spending this year, part of a $23 billion, decade-long plan to build, renew, and modernize schools.
Government officials say the projects are targeted at supporting Ontario’s fastest-growing communities, where demand for classroom and child care spaces has outpaced supply. The additional schools are expected to relieve enrolment pressure in high-growth regions and provide students with updated facilities and resources.
Legislative Changes
The investment builds on the proposed Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025, introduced last spring. If passed, the bill would increase provincial oversight of school boards, giving the Ministry of Education greater authority to intervene on financial, governance, and program issues.
The government says the legislation is designed to ensure transparency and direct funding toward student achievement. The bill would also make it easier to respond to matters of public interest and expand access to student mental health resources.
Strengthening Accountability
Ontario has already taken steps to enforce financial responsibility within school boards. According to the Ministry of Education, supervisors have been appointed to five boards in recent years to address concerns over deficits, depleted reserves, and operational mismanagement.
The proposed legislation would give the minister stronger powers to prevent such issues, ensuring boards direct resources toward classroom learning and student support.
Historic Funding Levels
Officials emphasized that the current education budget represents the highest level of school funding in Ontario’s history. In addition to the $30.3 billion in operating support this year, the province is committing $1.3 billion annually for school construction, expansion, and renovations — a level of capital funding unmatched in past decades.
Since 2018, the government has approved roughly 300 school-related projects, including child care centres, with more than 100 now under construction.
Back-to-Basics Emphasis
The government’s central message is that the funding will support a more focused education strategy. Core academic skills, student well-being, and pathways to employment are the main priorities as Ontario seeks to strengthen the link between classroom learning and future career opportunities.
“The investments we are making are about ensuring Ontario students are better prepared for the jobs of tomorrow,” Calandra said.
As the school year begins, the government’s record commitment is expected to spark further debate among educators, parents, and trustees about whether increased funding and stronger oversight will improve outcomes across the system. For now, Queen’s Park is betting that building more schools and enforcing tighter accountability will help restore public confidence in Ontario’s education system.
