I am deeply disappointed at Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid’s refusal to provide proper support to the Vancouver School Board, leading to significant education and programming cuts, and the possible closure of up to 11 Vancouver schools. I believe the government’s broken promise to protect education will hurt future economic prosperity, and short-change our youth.
Despite a scathing report from the minister’s appointee, comptroller general Cheryl Wenezenki-Yolland, accusing the VSB of fiscal mismanagement, Vancouver parents are standing by the school board, one of 60 throughout B.C. facing similar shortfalls.
Recently, respected educators joined my colleague Jenny Kwan at a news conference to discuss the situation. Here are some of their comments.
“The minister is attacking VSB for being incompetent in fiscal management, but with all 60 school districts facing a funding shortage, it cannot be the case that all 60 school boards in the province are lacking in the capacity to manage their money.”
Chak Au, Richmond school trustee.
“We need the provincial government to fully fund education, to invest in children for tomorrow’s economy and for our society.”
Peter Black, former principal of Queen Alexandra Elementary.
“The special advisor says she was instructed to exclude the funding formula for schools from her report. So there’s no comment on the adequacy of the funding formula. And for the last nine years the B.C. Liberal government has downloaded costs and underfunded our schools.”
Former VSB trustee Noel Herron.
“Education has not been protected as a public good in the province. We need advocates in the system and the VSB and other school trustees in the province have been functioning as advocates for children at the behest of the voters who elected them. Let us not hear their voices silenced.”
Paul Shaker, Former Dean of Education at SFU.
“Public education is not a business. It is a core institution and value of any democratic society, and requires priority resources and continuity in funding.”
Former District Parent Advisory Council chair Schula Leonard.
“Vancouver has long been a leader in education. Programs such as ESL, junior kindergarten, all-day kindergarten and afterschool daycare, were created outside of the school board’s core funding to provide not just equality of access but equality of outcomes. These programs are driven by parents, principals, teachers – those with close association with the children in the schools and saw the need.”
Mark Proctor, retired principal, 41 years of experience.
Read the VSB budget at www.vsb.bc.ca/district-news/trustees-submit-draft-budget-ministry-review
Read the special advisor’s report at www.bced.gov.bc.ca/pubs/2010-06_special_advisor_report.pdf
Also in this issue
- Targeted child poverty plan needed
- Sunrise Summer Kickoff is 9 years old
- Great local events and resources
