An additional $200 million is being funnelled into New Brunswick’s education system this year.

That is according to the department’s $1.9-billion budget tabled in the legislature on Tuesday.

It includes nearly $19 million to “support enrolment growth and ensure schools can meet the needs of students,” according to a news release.

There is also $4 million for areas such as teacher recruitment and retention, enhanced virtual learning, and leadership development for school leaders.

Other highlights include $24 million to address rising operating costs, $7.4 million in support services to address the diverse needs of students, and $4.4 million to support children with autism spectrum disorder.

The province has also earmarked $7.8 million in support to reverse the impacts of lost instruction time caused by the pandemic.

New Brunswick has also set aside an extra $7.4 million to improve access to affordable, quality designated child-care spaces throughout the province.

Meanwhile, the department’s capital budget included $20 million for building a new anglophone K-12 school in Dieppe, replacing three schools in Fredericton and one in Salisbury, building an addition to Tabusintac Community School, and an addition and upgrade at École Saint-Henri in Moncton.

An additional $165 million in the capital budget is going toward 14 ongoing projects, including new schools in Fredericton, Moncton, and Shediac Cape.

The province is also purchasing Leo Hayes High School in Fredericton for $38 million. The school was built under a public-private partnership and its initial 25-year lease ends this year.