Dear Saanich South, 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. I’m also a parent of a grade eleven student in public school. And I’m a citizen who believes passionately in the importance of accessible high-quality K-12 education for all, regardless of one’s ability to pay. 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. 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. Lana Lana Popham, MLA Saanich South
Posted on: Fri, 08 Aug 2014 17:06:46 +0000
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