Surrey Projects Need for 22 New Schools as Council Questions Estimates

Surrey School District has projected the need for nearly two dozen new schools over the next decade, estimating an increase of approximately 10,998 school-aged children. This report was presented to the Surrey City Council on Monday, highlighting a significant demand for educational infrastructure. The district anticipates that meeting this demand will require the construction of 22 new schools, one expansion, and one replacement, with a total estimated cost exceeding $931 million.

The population projections are based on the expected development of 58,720 residential units in Surrey and the nearby White Rock area. Despite these forecasts, some council members are expressing concerns that the figures may underestimate the actual need for educational facilities in the region.

Concerns Over Underestimated Projections

Councillor Pardeep Kooner voiced doubts about the accuracy of the school district’s projections. He noted that a significant portion of Surrey’s population, approximately one-third, is under the age of 18. Kooner pointed out a discrepancy in the school-aged child estimate, stating, “If I’m looking at the numbers that the school district is predicting for the school-aged children, it’s looking like it’s about 18 percent. It’s hard to plan when we don’t have accurate information.”

Councillor Mike Bose echoed Kooner’s concerns, suggesting that the school district should revisit its calculations. He highlighted the imbalance of projected residential units and student enrollment, stating, “With 58,000 units projected and only 11,000 students, it seems a little out of whack.” Bose emphasized the historical challenges Surrey has faced in securing adequate funding from the provincial government.

Urgency for Educational Infrastructure

Bose articulated a pressing need for immediate action, stating, “We need schools now. We have 400 portables and 7,000 students in those portables.” He urged the council to leverage political influence to secure full educational funding from the province. Mayor Brenda Locke reinforced this sentiment, acknowledging the ongoing challenges of underfunding and overcrowding in the district’s schools.

Locke stated, “It’s always a challenge for us to look at these reports because we know that our school district is just not funded enough, and our schools are just grossly overcrowded.”

In response to the findings, the Surrey City Council voted to support the district’s proposal for school sites for the 2026-2027 school year. The Surrey School Board will now forward this proposal to the Ministry of Education and Child Care for consideration of funding.

As the district prepares to accommodate a growing population, the urgency for adequate educational infrastructure remains a critical issue for Surrey’s future.