The 2025/26 preliminary operating grants have been completed for all 60 boards of education. Total district allocations are based on estimated 2025/26 enrolments provided by boards of education and generate a provincial preliminary total of $7.251 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 2025/26 Estimated Operating Grants web page.
The total 2025/26 operating grant of $7.251 billion includes additional funding for cost-of-living adjustments for teachers and support staff that were provided through a special grant in 2024/25, which has been added by increasing the funding rates. As a result, the following adjustments are being made to the operating grants:
| Supplement | 2024/25 Rate | 2025/26 Rate | Change |
| Basic Allocation (Standard, Continuing Education and Alternate schools) | $8,915 | $9,015 | $100 |
| Basic Allocation (Online Learning) | $7,200 | $7,280 | $80 |
| Inclusive Education – Level 1 | $50,730 | $51,300 | $570 |
| Inclusive Education – Level 2 | $24,070 | $24,340 | $270 |
| Inclusive Education – Level 3 | $12,160 | $12,300 | $140 |
| English / French Language Learning | $1,795 | $1,815 | $20 |
| Indigenous Education | $1,770 | $1,790 | $20 |
| Adult Education | $5,690 | $5,755 | $65 |
| Summer Learning (Grades 1-9) | $255 | $260 | $5 |
| Summer Learning (Grades 10-12) | $505 | $510 | $5 |
In addition, the formulae for the Small Community Supplement, Low Enrolment Factor, and Student Location Factor have all been increased. The Equity of Opportunity Supplement has increased by $0.5 million to a total of $28 million for 2025/26.
The total 2025/26 operating grant also includes funding for enrolment growth at these published rates.
Changes to estimated enrolment and the impact to the total 2025/26 operating grant will be managed through a decision process in the autumn. This includes determining if actual enrolment is lower than estimated enrolment resulting in a lower total operating grant.
The operating grant allocations will be recalculated after September 29, 2025, enrolment is confirmed. The operating grant allocation will again be adjusted following the February and May 2026 continuing education and online learning enrolment counts. Funding will also be adjusted in February 2026 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.
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 2025, which may affect the allocations under these supplements for some boards of education.
The 2025/26 Annual Budget must be submitted to the Minister on or before June 30, 2025. 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 2025/26. 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 email to Michael.Lebrun@gov.bc.ca.
If you have any further questions about the 2025/26 funding allocations, please contact Tim Jah, Director, Funding and Allocation at Tim.Jah@gov.bc.ca or Michael Lebrun at the email address noted above.