An elementary school in Surrey has received government funding, while another school is joining the list receiving a prefabricated module.
In an announcement made on a rainy Wednesday morning, Education Minister Rachna Singh shared the news at Forsyth Road Elementary that the Guildford-area elementary school will be getting an addition built onto the school for 14 more classrooms.
"We know parents want to send their kids to quality schools close to their homes and local Transit hubs and that's why today's announcement is so important," Singh said.
Additionally, George Greenaway Elementary will have a prefabricated module on the grounds soon, consisting of 14 classrooms.
The need for an addition at Forsyth Road was discussed at the October 2022 school board meeting by trustees who put the school on the 2023/2024 five-year capital plan that was submitted to the ministry that year.
The expansion at Forsyth Road will increase the school's capacity by 340, doubling it by 2028, which will help with increasing enrolment at the school and in the district as a whole.
According to Surrey school board chair Laurie Larsen, Forsyth had 295 students five years ago but now has 530, with portables on site.
"Investments in our schools like the (ones) made here today are what our district needs to ease the pressure on our system due to the rising student enrolment numbers," Larsen said.
The prefabricated addition at Greenaway will be ready for student occupancy by the next fall semester, while the addition at Forsyth will be complete by 2028, said school principal Kam Grewal.
"The reason we are coming up with innovative ideas like prefabricated classrooms is because (we are) getting the sites as quickly as possible. ... We know that Surrey is growing and students need those spaces," Singh said.
