Editor: I am a teacher and I would like to apologize.
I would like to apologize first to all the students who are really looking forward to getting back to school. To you, I say I’m sorry that you can’t be in school right now. We are trying our best to get you all the support you need.
Many of you don’t know that before our contract was ripped up you were entitled to smaller classes and more time with resource teachers and support staff. You had a librarian in the library and a counsellor to talk with. You had speech and language help and ESL if needed. I am on strike right now because I know that you need these things to reach your full potential. You can’t strike, so I will do it for you.
Secondly, I would like to apologize to the parents of the students. I am truly sorry that this strike is making things difficult for you and your families. I know that you have to find a place for your children to go for $40 a day and that there are not enough daycare spaces available. I appreciate your support and understanding that we are trying to make things better for your child and future children. We are trying to get a government to put back what the Supreme Court has twice told them they stole from our schools.
I would like to apologize to all the CUPE workers and other support workers that put so much of their time and energy into our schools. I know that you understand and see firsthand the state our schools are in. I am sorry that you are facing financial hardship to support us.
Lastly, I would like to apologize to Premier Christy Clark and Education Minister Peter Fassbender. I am sorry that I am making your lives more difficult by requiring you to fund public education properly.
It is hard to put money in what could be considered a ‘non-profit’ organization rather than into ventures that will see a return. I know that you would much prefer privatization, because then you could charge for education and begin to make a profit. This, unfortunately, would create a two-tiered education system and again, I am sorry, but I don’t think this benefits the majority of people.
I am sorry that it has come to a full strike that has continued on into September.
There are too many kids in a classroom.
There is not enough support.
There are not enough resources.
This is not OK with me.
Sorry.
Meghan Coulter,
Langley
