Teachers across BC were deeply dismayed at the decision last week by Minister of Education and Child Care Lisa Beare to dismiss the board of trustees of the Greater Victoria School District 61.
“The democratic process is absolutely fundamental to governance at all levels, and a requisite of maintaining public faith in institutions,” said BCTF President Clint Johnston. “It’s very unfortunate that a path could not be found to resolve the outstanding issues and keep the democratically elected trustees in place.”
The BCTF leadership expressed its disappointment that government chose such a sudden and dramatic course of action rather than working patiently to bring the parties together and find a way forward in mutual agreement.
The question of the role of police liaison officers in schools has been highly contentious in Victoria and other districts in recent years. That’s why the BCTF conducted extensive research into this highly complex issue and published a report analysing its many elements and hearing from diverse voices. For a deeper understanding, we invite media and members of the public to read this excellent report from the BCTF’s Policing in Schools Project Team.
“Teachers in Victoria and throughout BC are deeply committed to ensuring the safety of all students in our schools,” Johnston said. “Whether the issue is bullying, violence, gang activity, or anything else that threatens students’ sense of security and well-being, teachers do their very best to keep kids safe every day.”
However, BC public schools have been underfunded and understaffed for a long time. There is an urgent need for more school counsellors, resource teachers, Indigenous support workers, and education assistants so that every child can have a trusted adult by their side in difficult times.
“We continue to call upon the provincial government to make the much-needed investments in public education so we can ensure that caring professionals are there in every school to meet students’ needs, and that police need only be called in when absolutely necessary,” Johnston said.