In these challenging times government has the responsibility to make the necessary &pressing improvements to #bced that will re-orient public education funding to fully reflect the needs of students, classrooms, &schools as community hubs. We must act boldly &for the long-term. 1
Good will on the part of everyone in the system will, we are sure, allow for the establishment of a new equilibrium, where schools and students across the province have what they need to flourish and thrive. 2/
In this unique, urgent context, these are the views of the @bctf regarding #bced priorities for the 2021 provincial budget to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services: 3/
That the Ministry of Education immediately move ahead with significant enhancements to operational funding for K–12, beyond the funding increases associated with enrollment growth, to enable increased health and safety measures
and to support schools as hubs of community. 4/
and to support schools as hubs of community. 4/
That all new provincial initiatives or costs, in particular those arising from measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, be reflected in provincial funding grants, eliminating the practice of downloading costs onto school districts. 5/
That the Ministry of Education ensure sufficient and targeted funding to enable districts to expand teaching and support staff to accommodate smaller class sizes necessary for physical distancing as needed. 6/
That gov't ensure sufficient &targeted funding for increased use of sick leave &other accommodations by teachers, additional custodial staff to maintain the necessary higher levels of cleanliness as well as adequate stocks of PPE for staff and students who need or request it. 7/
That the Ministry of Education reform the school building standards to ensure that new schools are better suited to handle physical distancing measures and other
restrictions on physical space necessitated by future pandemics. 8/
restrictions on physical space necessitated by future pandemics. 8/
That the Ministry of Education provide targeted funding to support a trauma-informed approach to mental health for students, staff, and district administration, including more counsellors and professional learning for teachers on trauma-informed practice. 9/
That the provincial government accelerate its planned investment in a universal, $10-a-day childcare system in BC, which should include a build-out of public childcare facilities and the provision of before & after school care. 10/
That the provincial government move rapidly towards a universal, public, $10 per month broadband service. 11/
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