Education

Education

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Heidi Hutchison volunteers as the president of People First of Manitoba, a group that serves as a voice for Manitobans with intellectual disabilities.

Advocating for education, inclusion

Aaron Epp 4 minute read Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

Heidi Hutchison is frank when describing her commitment to People First of Manitoba, a group that represents Manitobans who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“I don’t stop,” the volunteer says. “People First does not stop for me at all. Period.”

After founding People First of Winnipeg a few years ago, Hutchison was elected president of the provincial chapter in 2025.

Members of People First have the opportunity to socialize, share experiences, advocate for change, and learn new information and skills.

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Education

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES U of W president Todd Mondor

U of W sued over president’s ‘callous, humiliating’ termination

Erik Pindera 5 minute read Preview

U of W sued over president’s ‘callous, humiliating’ termination

Erik Pindera 5 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026

The University of Winnipeg is being sued by its former president over his sudden removal in late November.

Todd Mondor alleges university officials breached his employment agreement, didn’t act in good faith and intentionally inflicted distress upon him, in a statement of claim filed in the Court of King’s Bench late last month.

The board of regents removed Mondor following a meeting Nov. 24; his departure was announced the next day.

Mondor began what was supposed to be a five-year term as president on April 1, 2022. It was slated to expire June 30, 2027, but he says in his court papers he was in the process of seeking reappointment.

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Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026

Education

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Sturgeon Heights Collegiate grade 12 student Hunter Mangin with his backpack on Monday. Sturgeon Heights students are lamenting new rules that require them to lock up their backpacks during classes.

Sturgeon Heights students fight to keep backpacks in class

Maggie Macintosh 4 minute read Preview

Sturgeon Heights students fight to keep backpacks in class

Maggie Macintosh 4 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026

An iconic symbol of student life has become embroiled in controversy at a Winnipeg high school.

Sturgeon Heights Collegiate announced a change in protocols last week, banning backpacks from classrooms in an effort to limit clutter.

School administration issued a bulletin informing students they’d be required to store their bags and coats in their lockers from now on.

Calling it a “backpack ban,” teenagers are lamenting the rules they say are upending routines and making them late for classes.

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Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026

Education

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Files Education Minister Tracy Schmidt announced a nearly-$80 million funding increase for Manitoba public schools, Monday.

Province to increase school funding 2.9 per cent in fall

Maggie Macintosh 4 minute read Preview

Province to increase school funding 2.9 per cent in fall

Maggie Macintosh 4 minute read Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

Manitoba is topping up funding for public schools by 3.5 per cent next year and continuing to allow boards free rein to raise local taxes.

Education Minister Tracy Schmidt announced nearly $80 million for Manitoba schools Monday.

Operating funding for the province’s 37 public school boards will increase $51 million — 2.9 per cent — in 2026-27.

Schools will receive a combined $15.2 million more for building-related expenses.

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Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

Education

St. John’s High School in Winnipeg (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press)

Online threat forces closure of North End high school Monday

Marsha McLeod 3 minute read Preview

Online threat forces closure of North End high school Monday

Marsha McLeod 3 minute read Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

A North End high school was closed Monday morning after a threat was posted online.

St. John’s High School, located on Church Avenue, was closed “out of an abundance of caution,” said Matt Henderson, superintendent of the Winnipeg School Division.

The Winnipeg Police Service major crimes unit is investigating the threat, Henderson said.

Henderson initially said he was hopeful the school could reopen Monday afternoon, but later said students wouldn’t return for half a day.

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Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

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