TORONTO, Sept. 6 /CNW/ - A record number of students are attending Ontario's colleges and universities this year, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, Chris Bentley, announced today.

"Premier McGuinty pledged to make room for 50,000 more college and university students in Ontario by expanding postsecondary capacity. I'm pleased to announce that our government has met and greatly surpassed that target," Bentley said.

The province projects that more than 480,000 students will be starting classes on Ontario campuses this week - the most ever in our history and an increase of over 86,000 students since 2002-03. In addition, 40 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds are participating in postsecondary education this fall - also the highest rate in Ontario's history. This is compared to a 35 per cent participation rate in 2002-03.

"Ryerson University is pleased to partner with the government on postsecondary accessibility and participation," said President Sheldon Levy. "Since 2002-03, Ryerson has added 6,500 new places, a more than 26 per cent increase in opportunities for students. This is the very best result, and the proudest investment we can make."

Increasing Ontario's participation rates in postsecondary education supports the province's economic growth and future prosperity.
"The McGuinty government is committed to ensuring that every Ontarian has the opportunity to pursue a postsecondary education or enhanced skills training," said Bentley. "That's why we are making historic investments to improve access and quality at our colleges and universities. I am pleased to report that students are responding to our commitment and applying in record-breaking numbers."

Improving the quality and accessibility of higher education are two goals of Reaching Higher: the McGuinty Government Plan for Postsecondary Education. Under the plan, the Ontario government is making a historic $6.2 billion multi-year investment to support postsecondary education - the largest in 40 years - to create more opportunities for Ontarians to succeed.
This includes $1.5 billion more for student aid and $15 million in 2006-07, rising to $55 million in 2009-10, to help colleges and universities deliver programs that improve access to postsecondary studies for francophones, aboriginals, people with disabilities and students who would be the first in their family to attend college or university.

"Mohawk College shares the Ontario government's goal of increasing participation in postsecondary education and is pleased to have grown by 5.5 per cent since 2002-03, including both full-time and apprenticeship students," said MaryLynn West-Moynes, President of Mohawk College. "Ontario needs highly skilled, highly motivated and highly talented doers, thinkers and leaders, and our province's 24 colleges stand committed to providing Ontario's labour force with a global competitive edge."

To support its goals of increasing participation in postsecondary education, the McGuinty government has invested in a range of initiatives, including:
- Providing 60,000 students with grants in 2006-07, covering between a quarter and all of the cost of their tuition, as compared to zero students receiving upfront tuition grant support two years ago
- Doubling our investment in student aid to help more families with the cost of higher education; enhancements in student aid will benefit 145,000 students this year
- Establishing a new student access guarantee which means no qualified Ontario student will be prevented from attending Ontario's public colleges and universities due to a lack of financial support programs and students in need will have access to the resources they need for their tuition, books and mandatory fees
- Providing increased funding to Ontario's colleges and universities to hire new faculty and staff and increase student/faculty interaction
- Improving student services and access to enhanced libraries, laboratories and equipment for hands-on learning.
"We are encouraging all Ontarians to pursue higher education and enhanced skills training so they are prepared for the jobs of the future," said Bentley. "We know that we will only achieve our potential as a province when every Ontarian is able to achieve his or her potential."