Education Minister Gord Wyant says it’s great news that the federal government was able to contribute to educational costs from the pandemic.

$79.4 million is coming from the federal government to school divisions through application intakes throughout the school year.

Wyant says this is on top of the $40 million the provincial government committed earlier this month.

“As we work with our sector partners to ensure a safe return to school, we know that there will be increased costs associated with staffing, preparation, and supplies,” Wyant said. “With the federal government’s contribution, there is now up to $150 million available to our education sector for costs associated with the safe return to school.”

Wyant says when it comes to PPE, six million masks have been purchased by the provincial government.

“The first shipment of those masks have been delivered to all 27 school divisions, and is in addition to the full-face shields the province obtained which will be made available to all staff,” Wyant said. “The second shipment of masks is set to leave the distributor (Wednesday), and will be delivered to school divisions during the first week of school.”

Wyant says a staffing increase will be considered with this funding.

“One of the requirements of the federal government is that we report to the federal government in December, the initial advance from the federal government is $1 billion, and with a further $1 billion to come to the provinces of course, in January, and so we’re required to report to the federal government of the use of the money that’s being put forward.”

In total, the federal government announced $2 billion in funding for schools across the country.