BC Gov’t Funding for Independent Schools Saves $51M per Year: Report

Independent schools in British Columbia save taxpayers at least $51 million each year, according to estimates from a newly released report. The Fraser Institute report notes that it costs the government an average of $14,601 per student to attend public school, while the average per-student cost to attend an independent school was $8,685. “In other words, the B.C. government saves $5,916 on average for every student who attends independent school rather than government public school,” said a release on the findings. Independent schools in B.C. follow the provincial curriculum but may also offer programs based on culture or religion or an alternative style of education, such as Montessori. The schools receive up to 50 percent of their operational costs from the government, with tuition provides the remaining funds....