Manitoba adds $900K to grant for newcomers entering school system - Action News
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Manitoba

Manitoba adds $900K to grant for newcomers entering school system

Newcomers fleeingthe Ukraine-Russia war and now living in Manitoba haveincreased the demand on resources on schools, according to the provincial government.

School divisions experiencing a significantly higher demand for newcomer resources

Sandra Herbst, superintendent and CEO of the River East Transcona School Division, spoke about a student from Ukraine who has been provided with hearing aids and access to a transmitter that amplifies the sound of his teachers' voices. (Citytv pool feed)

Young newcomers fleeingthe Ukraine-Russia war and now living in Manitoba haveincreased the demand on resources on schools, according to the provincial government.

As a result, the province on Monday announced a$900,000 boost to a grant that helps schools provide supports for student newcomers.

"It was felt that we needed some additional support,"Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewaskosaid during the announcement atMiles Macdonell Collegiate in Winnipeg's East Kildonan neighbourhood.

"This investment will support our schools and school divisions in responding to the sharp increase in newcomers who have fled war-affected countries."

Funding from the Intensive Newcomer Support Grantallows schools to provide programming tailored to the individual needs of each studentmany of whomcome from refugee backgrounds andwhose schooling has been disrupted or whose literacy is low.

The added money doubles the total for the grant for this year to just over $1.8 million.

In the past six weeks, 512 newcomer students have enrolled in schools in the city'sRiver East Transcona School Divisionalone. That's the same amount that arrived through the entireprevious year, Sandra Herbst, superintendent and CEO of RETSDsaid.

Of those, 246 are from Ukraine with others from Nigeria, India and the Philippines.

Herbsttold the story of one student, Michael,who arrived in Winnipeg in the spring with his mother. They came from Ukraine via Budapest, Hungary and Irelandbefore landing inToronto and making their way to Winnipeg.

Michael's father stayedbehind in Ukraine to defend the country, Herbst said.

She noted Michael is hard of hearing, and he has been outfitted with hearing aids and given access to a transmitter that amplifies the sound of his teachers' voices.

With those supports, Michael has been able to build strong connections with classmates, is thriving educationally andshares his passion for the piano and athletics, Herbst said.

"Because of the lived and harsh experiences of many of our newcomers, we believe it is important for students and their families to have a strong beginning at their new school in their new community," she said.