Michael Zwaagstra: More Money Doesn’t Necessarily Produce a Better Education

Commentary

Alberta’s government provides $10 million To help Grade 1 students get caught up in reading and math. It is in addition to an earlier announced $110million for the three-year period that will support students suffering from mental or academic difficulties resulting the pandemic.

Others provinces have also opened their spending accounts. In Ontario, last autumn, it opened the spending taps. announced It will provide parents with the opportunity to be more involved in their children’s lives. “catch-up” Payments of $200 per child can be used for tutoring and other academic support. These payments are estimated to cost $365 millions.

Manitoba’s government has recently declared a new initiative to help the elderly. 6.1 percent increase The highest growth in education spending in over a decade. British Columbia spends more every year on education and continues to plan to do so. spend 60 million for an affordable fund that will ensure school supplies are available to students.

Politicans hope this money will aid students who have suffered from learning disabilities for more than 2 years due to the pandemic. Politicians should not jump on to the spending wagon without first asking a fundamental question. Is more money equivalent to a better education or is it just a waste of time? Not necessarily.

The countries spending the least education score poorly in international assessments. They also do worse when they spend more. Canada, however, is a country that has a higher level of education spending. little benefit When they increase their spending. This means that spending more education will lead to higher results in countries with poorer economies, but not in countries where it is easier. It is clear that academic achievement and total education spend are not related when we compare the provinces.

Manitoba, for example, has third-highest spending per student Canada. Yet, Manitoban students are consistently among the most successful in Canada. worst results Programme for International Student Assessment – PISA The most recent PISA test results show that Manitoban students were in the top ten. dead last Among the top provinces for science and math.

Manitoba was second in reading. Only New BrunswickThe worst performer in this category is New Brunswick, which has a higher per-student spending province. New Brunswick and Manitoba would be tops if they had more money to provide a higher education. They aren’t.

Interesting to also note is that B.C.