Parents expressing frustration over what they describe as a “crisis” in the public education system of British Columbia gathered at the B.C. legislature on Monday.
The demonstration, arranged by a collective named B.C. Families for Public Education along with parent advisory councils from various B.C. regions, asserts that the public school system is consistently underfunded, resulting in negative impacts on students.
“This has been a long time coming, far too long,” stated Anne Whitmore, chair of the Surrey District Parent Advisory Council.
“We urge the government to prioritize our children. To prioritize the individuals who assist them, to prioritize the individuals who educate them … and to prioritize their future, which is our future.”
Parents reference issues such as overcrowded classrooms, program reductions, and inadequate support for students with learning difficulties or special needs.
“We lack funding. We are in debt in Surrey,” expressed Gwynn Redlich, a mother of two, to Global News. “They are lacking the necessary support, especially my younger son – he requires assistance in his class, and it is not available. Going into high school next year at Grade 7, he will face challenges because he is lagging behind.” The collectives also argue that funding for public education in B.C. has not kept up with inflation. B.C. Education Minister Lisa Beare mentioned that she engaged with the parents on Monday and acknowledged their worries. She noted that the province had increased education funding by $300 million in this year’s budget. “We have raised our per-pupil funding from $9,000 when we took office to $13,600 per student, so the increase is ongoing. I recognize the concerns regarding inflation; these are challenging times,” she remarked. “This is a tough fiscal period for all. Every family, every non-profit organization, every level of government is confronted with tough financial decisions in this demanding economic climate.”
