To Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education:
The few public comments i have heard or read coming from you have not instilled confidence in me that you have good public education as your vision.
For example, your statement that you do not believe that large classes have any (ill) impact on how children learn in the classroom makes me wonder not only what your own experiences have been, but also what your sources of information and knowledge are. We all come with certain ideas and opinions, but as the Minister of Education you have a particular responsibility and need to have a broad, deep and committed approach to create the best possible public education system in B.C.
The present situation between government and teachers is way out of hand. The ability to come to an agreement includes having respect for the law, respect for teachers, caring about the education of our children and compassion for parents.
It also needs public money, given to you in trust by all B.C. residents in order to provide good public education. It makes no sense to hand out $40 per day to parents; it certainly is not covering day care cost, and it clearly does not create day care spaces.
But most of all, it sends the wrong message and pretends that it is given as support. But what it really shows is ill intent on the side of government and is a divisive – or at least distracting and disrespectful – move.
This is not a partisan issue; it is an issue of good government, for the common good of our children and their future.
I urge you to focus on a solution, on how to meet the desire of most of us to have children back at school and teachers doing what they are trained for, in a welcoming, supportive and conducive to learning environment.
Hanny Pannekoek
Saanich
