A University of B.C. professor is coming to Prince George to talk about the importance of investing in children at an early age.
Professor Paul Kershaw says the 30-per-cent of B.C. children who are not ready for school, and are already struggling at the kindergarten level, will likely be less ready for jobs.
He said to continue at this high rate of vulnerability in children will cost the B.C. economy more than $400 million over the next 60 years.
During his visit here Feb. 3 he'll make presentations at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Summit Room at the Coast In of the North. His focus will be on the B.C. government's plan to reduce numbers of children who are not ready for school.
That plan comes from a government-commissioned report called 15 by 15, and refers to cutting numbers of children not ready for school by 15 per cent by the year 2015, which is believed to be achievable.
Human Early Learning Partnership, which conducted the study, says half the children who struggle to hold a pencil or follow instructions could be improved.
Full-day kindergarten at age five is a good example of how the goals are expected to be achieved through earlier high quality learning along with a number of new family policies such as increased financial support for low income families, hiking the minimum wage and welfare rate, and monthly monitoring of children's development from birth to school entry.
The point made by the province's finance and Premier's office is failing to reduce child vulnerability now means paying later in terms of child welfare, income assistance, health care costs, policing and crime costs and less economic growth.
The economic development and labour office says getting children ready to learn at school will increase numbers of graduates by 34 per cent.
The Attorney General's office believes a successful 15 by 15 program will reduce crime in B.C. by 31 per cent, and health services predicts 15 by 15 policy changes will reduce expenditures by $300 million in the first four years from health care expenses related to work and family conflict.
Kershaw, who's presentations are expected to be of particular interest to service providers, business, educators and the community, will talk about the fact the most vulnerable children are not poor, why early child development is vital for business, how the labour force is dependent on children being successful in school, and family policy changes needed to make the plan work.
Those wishing to attend the talks are asked to confirm attendance by emailing [email protected] by Jan. 27.
