SOOKE – New Democrat MLAs Mitzi Dean and Ravi Parmar say families who are struggling with expenses for school activities will be receiving more support from their school districts.

“Every student needs to be able to access quality educational opportunities, regardless of their family’s income level,” says Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin. “Students will be able to do things like attend field trips and can participate equally in important activities with this funding.”

The Sooke School District #62 is receiving $350,000 from the province to help schools provide support directly to families.

Funding will help pay for student necessities, such as school supplies, school fees and class trips, as well as additional costs associated with joining a school sports team or music program.

“As a former Chair of the Sooke School Board, supporting student learning opportunities is close to my heart,” said Ravi Parmar, MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca. “Investing in our students’ futures is crucial, and our government since day one has been committed to ensuring their educational success.”

The support comes from the Student and Family Affordability Fund, which is being replenished with an additional $20 million this spring. More than $60 million has been provided to school districts provided through this program over the past two years.

This is on top of the largest investment in school food programs in the province’s history. The Feeding Futures Fund has dedicated $214 million over three years to create and expand local school food programs.

The Sooke School District #62 received $1,565,710 from the province for food programs during this school year.

Learn More:

Student and Family Affordability Fund: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024ECC0013-000293

Feeding Futures Fund: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023ECC0020-000424