Editor:
The Education Statutes Amendment Act - Bill 11 purports to strengthen accountability. Bill 11, however, distracts attention from growing concerns about underfunding in B.C. public schools. If government truly cared about improving public education, they would reverse cuts they announced in February.
Bill 11 expands the Ministry’s ability to replace democratically elected school board members with government appointments. By centralizing control, the government forces school boards to make further cuts. In other words: implement the cuts or we will do it for you. This legislation, apparently helpful in establishing a framework for teacher professional development, is irrelevant; teachers across the province successfully embrace locally determined topics for their own continued learning toward improving practice and meeting students’ needs.
The Sunshine Coast Teachers’ Association and our school district actively promote and support numerous meaningful initiatives. If government desires changes to professional development, perhaps showing respect for teachers’ professionalism and autonomy and providing funds for training are good places to start.
While government pretends to find efficiencies, their true agenda in cutting teacher positions, refusing to fund seismic upgrades to buildings, reducing administration and school support staff is ever-apparent: dismantle public education.
Louise Herle, president,
Sunshine Coast Teachers’ Association
