Eight Saskatchewan school divisions have received in total $3.6 million from the province for a pilot project which supports students with complex needs. The funding will go toward a new specialized support classroom in each division.

Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill says it means more specialized help for students to practice self-regulation skills and it also means addressing the impacts of disruptions in the home classroom. The specialized support classrooms will have a minimum of one teacher and two educational assistants for up to 15 students, and other supports, like psychologists and counsellors, may be added as needed.

Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools and Saskatoon Public Schools are both receiving funding. Francois Rivard, GSCS Director of Education, says they have been looking at ways to deal with classroom complexities and this is one way that can help. He believes the exciting part of this work is being able to co-create a plan that will support all students while reducing classroom complexities. The project begins in February and runs until the end of the 2025 school year.