Manitoba Schools Add 832 New Teacher Positions Post-Election

Since the election of a caucus primarily composed of former educators, Manitoba public schools have introduced 832 new funded teacher positions. This significant increase has occurred since the New Democratic Party (NDP) took office in 2023, marking a 6 percent rise in teaching staff across the province.

Announcement Highlights New Educational Initiatives

Education Minister Tracy Schmidt made the announcement on Wednesday at École DSFM Sage Creek, the newest establishment within the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine. Addressing a crowd that included students and educators, Schmidt emphasized the critical need for more teachers in Manitoba, particularly noting the demand for French-language educators.

The previous administration, led by the Progressive Conservatives, had initiated a strategy in 2021 aimed at recruiting French-language teachers. Collaborating with the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine and the Université de Saint-Boniface, they developed a roadmap for the period from 2023 to 2026. Despite these efforts, the francophone division reported that it has only added 41 new teaching positions in the last two years, with no new positions in three schools located in the Westman region.

Challenges in Rural Teacher Recruitment

According to Superintendent Alain Laberge, the lack of new positions in schools like École Jours de Plaine in Laurier, École La Source in Shilo, and École Saint-Lazare is due to small student-teacher ratios. Laberge noted the challenges rural areas face in recruiting teachers, particularly those who are fluent in French. “Getting teachers in rural areas is difficult for all school divisions, but if you add the speaking French factor, it is harder to find all teachers needed,” he explained. “We are fortunate that, beside needing more substitute teachers, we have all the teachers we need so far this year.”

Over the past two decades, two francophone schools have opened, and a new facility is expected to launch in Brandon for the 2028-29 school year. This fall, the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine has over 6,300 registrants, reflecting a 4.4 percent increase in enrolment from September 2023 to September 2024. Comparatively, the overall public school population saw a 2 percent rise last year.

Meanwhile, the Brandon School Division has similarly expanded its teaching staff, adding the equivalent of about 34 full-time teachers over the last two years, as enrolment continues to grow steadily. Superintendent Mathew Gustafson confirmed the ongoing demand for educational resources in the region.

The recent increases in teacher positions underscore a broader commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in Manitoba, particularly in specialized areas such as French-language instruction. As the province focuses on these initiatives, the collaboration between educational bodies and the government will be critical in addressing ongoing challenges in teacher recruitment and retention.