BC Liberals Put Students First (again)

Another educational landmark was achieved today in BC with the signing of an agreement between Premier Gordon Campbell and the First Nations Educational Steering Committee. Among other things, this agreement will allow the First Nations the jurisdiction over educational decisions for First Nations students. In other words, First Nations will be ensured the cultural relevance of their education while guaranteeing that it fits and is easily transferable between public schools. The agreement will also allow First Nations students eligibility to post secondary institutions without losing any of this cultural relevance.

Considering this milestone along with the first negotiated contract between the government and the BCTF in over ten years (16% increase over five years and 2% over most other agreements within the BC Negotiating Framework), I sincerely hope that this is the last bit of proof that any remaining naysayers (likely within the NDP and the BCTF) need to demonstrate that this government is now and always has been committed to our students!

One need only look at some of the recent significant commitments made by the BC Liberals to realize which side of the table has been truly committed to education, including the best interests of both teachers and students in BC, right from the beginning.

1. $2 billion specifically for education between 2001 and 2007.
2. $881 increase in spending per student.
3. $1.5 billion in seismic upgrades to BC schools.
4. $196 million increase in funding for post secondary education in the province.
5. $800 million for capital improvements directly for education.

Clearly the government has made the financial commitment toward education, now is the time for the rest of us to work together to ensure that we truly are the most educated province in the country. I for one look forward to five years of cooperation between the province, teachers, parents and most importantly, our students.