Manitoba spends $12.4M to reduce class sizes

The Manitoba government is adding21 new classrooms in eight schools across the province as part of its effort to shrinkclass sizes from Kindergarten to Grade 3.

• Manitoba to limit K-3 classroom size
• More teachers hired in Manitoba to reduce class sizes

The cost to renovate or build the new classrooms will cost $12.4 million,Education Minister James Allum announced Wednesday.

"Students learn in different ways and, with smaller classes, teachers can reach each student individually," said Allum.

"Small classes create a climate for learning and surround students with attention and encouragement."

In 2011, the province announced school divisions would needto cap K-Grade 3 class sizesat 20by September 2017.

Since then, 213 more teachers have been hired across the province and there are now 437 K-Grade 3 classes with 20 or fewer students.