Manitoba says it will move to limit the number of pupils in K-3 classrooms, saying children learn better when students receive more personal attention.

"We know that students are more likely to succeed when they have the attention they need in their early years," said Education Minister Nancy Allan.

She said a committee of parents, teachers, school administrators and trustees will work with government to implement smaller class sizes to a maximum of 20 students for kindergarten through Grade 3 starting in 2012.

Allan said Wednesday that funding for the initiative will include a $20-million to hire more teachers and $85 million to build more class space.