Below is a statement from George Abbott, Minister of Education, about an agreement with the BC Teachers' Federation, reached Tuesday night.

"We are pleased that mediation has resulted in a tentative Memorandum of

Settlement between the British Columbia Public School Employers' Association

and the British Columbia Teachers' Federation.

"Under Dr. Charles Jago's guidance, the parties worked extremely hard and

made progress on many important issues.

"The term of the agreement runs until June 30, 2013, sets out improved

language to manage leave provisions, and is consistent with government's net

zero mandate. In addition, the parties agreed to further discuss and seek

mutually agreeable improvements on key policy issues to provide students

with the best education possible.

"In the days ahead, BCPSEA and the BCTF will communicate further information

to their members about the agreement and next steps with respect to

ratification.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Jago for the tireless

commitment, effort and energy he brought to the mediation process. His

success in this endeavour is consistent with the many successes he has

achieved in his distinguished career."