Our BC government claims it would take over two billion dollars to return the school system to 2002 levels for class size and composition. I am horrified with how much has been taken away from our children's education since the Liberals came to power. I am horrified at the government blithely ignoring the Supreme Court rulings dealing with the contract stripping of class size and composition issues.
There have been large classes in the past, but in general they were "streamed", composed of students of similar abilities. Present day classes can have any blend of abilities, including special needs, both physical and mental, emotional issues, behaviour dysfunction, those needing some learning assistance which is seldom available, and the "normal" child who basically has to sink or swim. How is a teacher to deliver any sort of program meeting individual needs under those conditions?
If we want quality of education and equity of access for all, our province needs to return funding to the system. Without the much touted tax cuts, "saving" us all money (that we now pay out in previously funded services) funding could have been maintained.
This is not like the "Before Christy" battles for school funding, where there were agreed-upon rules of conduct and even mutual respect. Present day teachers feel a profound sense of betrayal. The Liberal government in 2002 launched a carefully planned brute force mission, with no previous negotiation or discussion, and nothing has changed in their actions or attitudes in the following years despite rulings from the Supreme Court.
It's kind of funny that Christy Clark was such a strong supporter of the anti-bullying movement when she had her radio show job. Now, rather than making an effort to use her position to make the province a better, more co-operative place, she is battering the biggest group in the province who give a large part of their lives to providing more opportunities to children, much of it on their own time and by their own choice, not legislated by government.
EJ Eakin, retired teacher
Prince George
