BCTF News

Table of Contents

1. Throne speech turns a blind eye
2. Government breaks its own class-size legislation
3. Rankings in the black
4. Pension consultation is over
5. Getting no satisfaction
6. Build a Better BC

Throne speech turns a blind eye

Ignoring the painful reality of school closures, oversized classes, dwindling support for students with special needs, and boards of education struggling to manage, the throne speech contained vague statements with no detail or mention of any monetary commitment. The list includes:

• a new Master Teacher program.
• public/private partnerships to provide preschools for three- and four-year olds.
• greater parental involvement in “tailoring the education system to each child’s individual needs and passions.”
• new “forms of schooling” for greater choice and diversity.
• voluntary Kindergarten for this September and fully funded full-day Kindergarten in every school by September 2011
• greater focus of resources for students and less on administrative costs.
• neighbourhood learning centres to provide yet to be specified services seven days a week to meet the needs of BC families.

BCTF First Vice-President Susan Lambert expressed disappointment at the government’s indifference to the serious underfunding situation that exists presently, “Let’s get the resources in place to support children sitting in classrooms today and then look at new programs. BC’s education system cannot sustain more unfunded schemes from a premier with a notoriously short attention span.”

Government breaks its own class-size legislation

Class-size and composition data collected by the provincial government confirms that it broke its own legislation.

The data presented by the minister of education shows 3,229 class-size violations with more than 30 students for the 2009–10 school year.

That is down a mere 100 classes from 2008–09, but still higher than in 2007–08 when there were 3,179 violations. The numbers show the government has failed to make any progress. Of even greater concern are the numbers around class composition, the term used to describe the number of students with special needs in a classroom. The government’s own legislation sets a limit at three students with an Individual Education Plan per class. In 2010, there are close to 12,000 class-composition violations. That is up from 11,000 in 2009 and, 10,000 in 2008. BCTF President Irene Lanzinger said that it has been more than four years since BC’s teachers went on strike to improve classroom conditions, and in that time government has refused to fund their own legislation. “The result is more overcrowded classes than ever before and cash-strapped school boards forced to make damaging cuts to our education system.”

Rankings in the black

In an unexpected move, CanWest announced that The Vancouver Sun and The Province would not be publishing the annual Fraser Institute ratings of BC’s elementary schools this year. In the past, a 20-page supplement would be inserted in both city papers, ranking every elementary and secondary school in BC. Various reasons have been given for this decision including financial woes, Olympic coverage, and dwindling parental interest and support.

Meanwhile the Fraser Institute, attempting to diminish the significance of this move, claims that its work will not be impacted since the Black newspaper chain, which owns the majority of smaller, local, newspapers across BC, has confirmed that it will publish the rankings on a community-by-community basis with, in some instances, accompanying commentary from the presidents of local teacher unions.

Clearly the ongoing efforts by the BCTF to generate an informed, rational consideration of the FSA has been having an effect and participation rates continue to decline in many districts. Parents and the general public are increasingly questioning government claims that FSA data provides anything of use for the public education system.

Pension consultation is over

Over 8,000 teachers responded to a survey conducted by the BCTF into their views on the Inflation Adjustment Account (IAA) and the ability to index pensions into the future. Both active and retired members were well represented among the respondents. The data showed strong support for maintaining full indexing (88%) and also indicated clearly that members were willing to match employer contributions with their own, in order to preserve full indexing.

The BCTF also received many letters and e-mails expressing concerns and opinions. Retired members hoped that they would not be abandoned by their active colleagues and talked of their fear of slipping into poverty or being unable to access healthcare.

The BCTF Executive Committee will be bringing forward recommendations to the BCTF Annual General Meeting in March. Recom­menda­tions passed at that meeting will be given to the trustees of the Teachers’ Pension Plan as advice and guidance in their decision making.

Getting no satisfaction

It is that time of year when the Ministry of Education sends out satisfaction surveys to students and teachers. BCTF policy is that teachers not participate in the government’s satisfaction survey. The Ministry of Education surveys do not ask about the availability of resources, the appropriateness of class sizes, the problems of class composition, the loss of services, school closures, or the reduction of choices in schools. There have been no educational benefits from these surveys. The government uses the survey results as a public relations exercise to brag about how happy everyone is with their education policies. The teacher survey is designed to get the “right” answer from teachers and avoids any questions dealing with substantive issues facing schools, students, and teachers. No one directly involved in teaching and learning could express “satisfaction” with larger classes, fewer services, and closed neighbourhood schools.

Build a Better BC

Mark your calendar—attend the Teach In and join the rally to demonstrate to all of BC, the need to work together To Build a Better BC. The Federation is a partner in the community Coalition to Build a Better BC. Community service groups, cultural and arts associations, and unions joining together as one voice to call on the provincial government to:

• immediately stop eliminating public and community services.
• fulfill their legislative responsibility to provide adequate, fair, and consistent funding to support public services and community groups.
• work in substantive consultation with groups and individuals to build public and community services that give every individual the democratic opportunity to participate in building a better BC.

Two events are scheduled

1. The Teach In—topics include “What Cuts?” What Impacts?” “How do we react?” March 20, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Vancouver Public Library
2. Rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery April 10, 11:30 a.m. For more information contact David Halme dhalme@bctf.ca, 604-871-1883.