August 26, 2025
RED FM News Desk
Surrey School District is expanding its use of extended days and piloting a hybrid learning model to address severe overcrowding. The district, which has an enrollment of 83,000 students and adds over 2,000 new students annually, has long struggled with what it calls inadequate provincial funding.
According to Gary Tymoschuk, Chair of the Surrey Board of Education, the traditional solution of purchasing portables is no longer viable. He noted that while the provincial government funds the construction of new schools, it does not fund portable purchases. This forces the school district to pay for these temporary classrooms out of its own operational budget, taking millions of dollars away from student education.
To find alternative solutions, the district is introducing extended days at some high schools. While high schools typically operate on a four-block schedule, some will now have five blocks, though students will still only attend four. This measure, which was piloted in six schools last year, will be expanded to two more schools in September.
Additionally, the district is implementing a hybrid learning model. Select courses will be taught online via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, while other classes will still require students to be on campus.
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