The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development releasing budget estimates of $1.1 billion for educational services and programs for students and preschoolers in 2015-16.
New investments in early childhood development represent more than $3.5 million.
Education Minister Serge Rousselle says difficult decisions must be made because of the decline in student population.
This will result in a reduction of 302 positions out of more than 13,000 employees, including 249 in schools, 21 in school district offices and 32 at the central office in Fredericton.
