Saskatchewan's teacher/student ratio becomes topic of debate as opposition sounds alarm

Student/teacher ratio jumps WATCH: The Sask NDP and teachers union are raising the alarm over rising student populations. Wayne Mantyka reports.

As those across the province await the verdict from binding arbitration between the province and the Sask. Teachers Federation (STF) – the Official Opposition is raising alarms over the teacher student ratio.

The Saskatchewan NDP says the province’s latest five-year report shows student population is up more than 15,000 while the province is down 86 educators in both the classroom and through distance learning.

"These numbers lay bare the reality of the inadequate funding that this Sask. Party government has placed in education," Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck told reporters Tuesday.

The Official Opposition is citing numbers from the end of the past school year. The province says that it has added 200 teachers during the current school year.

"In 2024-25, the student to educator ratio of 15.2 and the average class size of 19.9 remained the same as the previous year," the province said in the written statement.

The provincial government went on to say that it is continuing to spend “the most per capita” on education among the promises.

The NDP says Saskatchewan ranks last in terms of per-student funding.

“Our province has incredible potential. It shouldn’t be ranked as last place in the entire country for education,” Education Critic Matt Love told reporters.

The government and opposition do share a common objective. The NDP say a education for children should be a priority – while the Sask. Party government says it will continue to prioritize education.

As part of the most recent throne speech, the Sask. Party government vowed to focus on K-3 reading levels to optimize student outcomes and success while moving to increase its classroom support pilot program to 200 locations provincewide.

Binding arbitration took place from Dec. 16 to 20th in Saskatoon. A decision from that process is expected in the near future.