Alberta to invest $90 million to ease enrolment pressures at independent schools

Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides is defending a new 90‑million‑dollar, three‑year Independent School Capital Program aimed at creating more spaces in faith-based and special education independent schools, including Sikh and Muslim schools and Renfrew Educational Services for children with severe disabilities. He rejects claims the government is privatizing education, noting a 7 per cent increase in overall education funding and record investments in public schools. Nicolaides says the pilot responds to rapid enrollment growth driven by immigration and high demand from families seeking cultural and faith-based programming options.