Saskatchewan Teachers Encouraged by Budget 2025-26

The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation is encouraged by Budget 2025-26. Based on a preliminary review, it reflects commitments made in the Throne Speech and will make some gains towards restoring per-student funding.

“This is another step in the right direction,” says STF President Samantha Becotte. “In last fall’s election, the STF asked parties to invest in public education and called for per-student funding to be restored. We know a decade of cuts can’t be addressed with one budget. We are cautiously optimistic this will be the start of continued investments in public education with predictable, sustainable funding that meets the needs of a growing student population.”

Ensuring students have access to a well-funded, quality public education is the foundation to our province’s future, including continued growth, building a skilled labour force and working towards greater domestic capability as laid out in the provincial growth plan. Becotte adds, “Investing in public education will help ensure students have equal access to the supports that they need within their PreK-Grade 12 education, which will lead to increased probability of achieving government’s priorities.”

For over a decade, per-student funding in Saskatchewan has been on the decline after adjusting for inflation. In 2024-25, there was a slight increase but a gap of about $2,450 ^[1] per student remained.

With this budget, the gap per student is about $1,850 ^[2]. Fully restoring per-student funding to 2012-13 levels, when adjusted for inflation, will require an additional $375 million in the 2025-26 budget.

“There is still more work to do, and teachers are committed to working collaboratively with government to ensure the best outcomes for students,” says Becotte. “But we can’t do it alone. Budgets reflect priorities and investing in public education is an investment in the future of our province. Saskatchewan has one of the best performing economies in the country. Saskatchewan students and families deserve access to a properly funded public education system that meets students’ needs.”

The STF is committed to continuing to advocate for a well-funded PreK-Grade 12 public education system in Saskatchewan and working with government, parents and other education partners to ensure students have a high-quality public education.

[1] Adjusted for inflation.
[2] Based on government projections, this assumes 2% inflation rate and 1% enrolment growth.

Backgrounder

Inflation-Adjusted Per-Student Funding ^[3]

• Per-student funding in 2012-13 was $13,547 in 2024 dollars.
• Its lowest point was in 2023-24 at $10,585 per student in 2024 dollars.
• It increased slightly to $11,101 per student in 2024-25.
• Based on inflation and enrolment expectations, per-student funding is expected to be $11,693 in 2025-26.

[3] Sources:
https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/categories/2304
https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/categories/2303
Statistics Canada. Table 18-10-0005-01 Consumer Price Index, annual average, not seasonally adjusted.