Check out this video with a message about public education, from John Horgan, MLA and Leader of the Official Opposition – it really speaks to his values and why public schools matter.
As the MLA for Saanich South, I remain actively engaged with efforts to resolve the dispute between the B.C. Liberals and public school teachers.
That is why I argue strongly that the BC government must pay teachers fairly and address widespread concerns over class size and composition.
It is also why I am disgusted with the BC Liberal’s efforts to undermine public education in this province. Premier Clark is starving our schools and harming the education of a generation of public school students. Diverting funds allocated for public education to off-set the child-care costs for parents is an attack on the foundation of public education and a poisoning of negotiations that will only make it harder to find common ground with teachers.
It is also why I am disgusted with the BC Liberal’s efforts to undermine public education in this province. Premier Clark is starving our schools and harming the education of a generation of public school students. Diverting funds allocated for public education to off-set the child-care costs for parents is an attack on the foundation of public education and a poisoning of negotiations that will only make it harder to find common ground with teachers.
There is a sliver of hope in the recent news that another round of
negotiations between the parties to this dispute will begin tomorrow. I wish them well. A
resolution must be found immediately, the new school year is supposed to start
in less than a month.
Public pressure is required to force the government to understand that they
will be held to account if they cannot provide fundamental public services, including a vibrant and successful public education system.
Please continue to make your voices heard – in letters and phone calls to
the Premier, on social media, by attending rallies and joining teachers on the
picket line, and speaking up for public education with your friends,
neighbours and colleagues. Public education is a cornerstone of democracy and
with the BC Liberals in power we have no choice but to fight to protect it.
Keep in touch: lana.popham.mla@leg.bc.ca or 250 479 4154.
Lana
Lana Popham, MLA Saanich
SouthOther recent posts on education:
Jun 20, 2014
Public Education is
the foundation of Democracy. Dear Constituents of Saanich South,. As you know,
public school teachers across the province are out on strike. They are
demanding improved wages, smaller class sizes and ...
May 27, 2014
Premier Clark has
been a constant factor in this government's decade of conflict with teachers in
B.C. As education minister in 2002, she passed a law that led to larger classes
and less support for students with special needs.
Feb 03, 2014
Dear Saanich South,
Last week a BC Supreme Court Judge exposed the rotten underbelly of the BC
government's relationship with teachers and the public education system. The BC
Supreme Court reviewed secret cabinet ...
