Editor:
At the recent AGM of the BC School Trustees, plenary speaker, former Alberta Education Minister David King, highlighted public education as “the most important social institution in any civil, democratic community.”
King listed three vital characteristics:
Public education is a deliberate model of civil democratic society, governed by the community with purpose to sustain and purposefully evolve the community. The relationships between students and families and the community go far beyond the classroom and playground, and the quality of these relationships are central to the success of public education.
Public education is inclusive — without preconditions or qualifications for all students and all adults.
He contrasts this with private schools, which start with exclusivity, the need to qualify or subscribe to particular views or format via entrance requirements or fees. King clarifies that the right to public education is both a right and a responsibility: individual students must be responsible for their education and the community takes responsibility for every child.
Public education is inclusive, not as a means of achieving homogeneity but as acknowledgement and celebration of diversity.
Diversity is the “only reliable basis of civil democratic society.” He cites these three characteristics as integral because “long term success of public education is contingent upon substantial and significant local government.”
This work must be done together as boards of education and with municipal governments across the province.
These ideas need discussion in our communities and are in stark contrast to Bill 11: The Education Statutes Amendment Act, 2015 recently introduced in Victoria. This bill enhances power of the Education Minister over elected school boards and takes it away from communities electing their local boards. All citizens of any age should examine these issues carefully.
Your local school board welcomes your comments.
Betty Baxter, SD46 board chair
