Schools can play an important role in their communities. In the recommendations from the Premier’s Community Hubs Advisory Committee, the committee identifies schools as the “ideal location” for community hubs. To aid in the transformation of schools into community hubs, the provincial government has invested $28.1 million dollars to help with the costs of keeping schools open after hours for community use.

While 69% of elementary and 64% of secondary principals indicated that their school was a community hub in this years Annual School Survey, most only offer childcare and recreation programs after school.

When principals were asked about the challenges of developing their schools as a community hub, the most cited barrier was access to janitorial staff.

Other than janitorial issues, lack of space was also cited, as well as, in rural schools, lack of available community partners.