The preliminary operating grants are posted on the 2024/25 Estimated Operating Grants web page.
For your information, the 2024/25 preliminary operating grants have been completed for all 60 boards of education. Total district allocations are based on estimated 2024/25 enrolments provided by boards of education and generate a provincial preliminary total of $7.079 billion.
Detailed information on the Funding Allocation System is included in the Operating Grants Manual, which is available on the Ministry of Education and Child Care’s website at the following link:
2024/25 Estimated Operating Grants Manual and Tables
The total 2024/25 operating grant of $7.079 billion includes additional funding for labour settlements with teachers and support staff, and wage lifts for non-educator exempt positions, which has been added by increasing the funding rates. As a result, the following adjustments are being made to the operating grants:
| Supplement | 2023/24 Rate | 2024/25 Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Allocation (Standard, Continuing Education and Alternate schools) | $8,625 | $8,915 | $290 |
| Basic Allocation (Online Learning) | $6,960 | $7,200 | $240 |
| Inclusive Education – Level 1 | $49,070 | $50,730 | $1,660 |
| Inclusive Education – Level 2 | $23,280 | $24,070 | $790 |
| Inclusive Education – Level 3 | $11,760 | $12,160 | $400 |
| English / French Language Learning | $1,735 | $1,795 | $60 |
| Indigenous Education | $1,710 | $1,770 | $60 |
| Adult Education | $5,505 | $5,690 | $185 |
| Summer Learning (Grades 1-9) | $245 | $255 | $10 |
| Summer Learning (Grades 10-12) | $490 | $505 | $15 |
| Equity of Opportunity Supplement | Provincial total increased by $1.0 million |
| Small Community Supplement | Provincial total increased by $2.5 million |
| Low Enrolment Factor | Provincial total increased by $0.2 million |
| Student Location Factor | Provincial total increased by $1.1 million |
The total 2024/25 operating grant also includes funding for enrolment growth at these published rates.
Changes to estimated enrolment and the impact to the total 2024/25 operating grant will be managed through a decision process in the fall. This includes if actual enrolment is lower than estimated enrolment resulting in a lower total operating grant.
The operating grant allocations will be recalculated in the autumn of 2024, after September 29, 2024, enrolment is confirmed. The operating grant allocation will again be adjusted subsequent to the February and May 2025 continuing education and online learning enrolment counts. Funding will also be adjusted in February 2025 for any growth in inclusive education enrolment, and for new refugee enrolment.
The Classroom Enhancement Fund continues to be provided to fund boards’ cost to implement the Memorandum of Agreement with the BC Teachers’ Federation on class size, composition, and non-enrolling teachers.
The Curriculum and Learning Support Fund is provided to assist boards with implementing the provincial curriculum. A letter with additional detail regarding the Ministry of Education and Child Care’s expectations has been sent to Superintendents. This supplement is being provided outside of the Funding Protection calculation, which ensures that all districts receive the additional amount.
As you are aware, all districts are subject to compliance audits and potential recoveries for funding claims not in compliance with ministry policies and directives. School districts should be aware that audit adjustments will be included in the calculations of Funding Protection and the Supplement for Enrolment Decline when they are recalculated in autumn 2024, which may affect the allocations under these supplements for some boards of education.
The 2024/25 Annual Budget must be submitted to the minister on, or before June 30, 2024. Annual Budget Instructions and templates will be posted on the ministry website at:
Annual Budget Instructions, Bylaw, and Template
The Estimator, a tool to assist boards in determining funding projections, is being updated for 2024/25. As in previous iterations, the updated Estimator will incorporate the next three years of funding projections into one program. The Estimator will be available to districts upon request by sending an e-mail to Michael.Lebrun@gov.bc.ca. If you have any further questions about the 2024/25 funding allocations, please contact Tim Jah, Director, Funding and Allocation at Tim.Jah@gov.bc.ca or Michael Lebrun at the e-mail address noted above.