Ontario adjusts its student retention programme: 96 per cent of places go to public colleges and universities
Recently, Ontario introduced major reforms to its student retention programme, with a particular impact on colleges. Under the new policy, Ontario will allocate 96 per cent of student places to public colleges and universities, with the remainder allocated to language schools and other educational institutions.
More than half of Ontario's public colleges and universities will face a reduction in student numbers under Ontario's Reduced Retention Plan, and of the 23 universities, only Algoma University will see a reduction in students. However, Ontario will prioritise students in technology, healthcare, human resources, hospitality, childcare and STEM fields to develop professionals that are in high demand in the local market.
The policy follows an earlier announcement by the federal immigration minister of a national cap on student visas, and is designed to ease the pressure of a surge in students staying in the country that is driving up housing costs. The Ontario government has also said that no school will be able to enrol more students in 2024 than it did in 2023.
