As kids enjoy their last day of spring break, their teachers are also getting ready to head back into the classroom.
These days, there seems to be very little sitting on the fence when it comes to the dispute between B.C. teachers and the provincial government.
People have strong opinions that range from, “teachers make enough money and they’re just greedy by asking for more,” to “they deserve the right to collective bargaining, for decent conditions in the classroom.”
The one thing that seems to be clear since the teachers began the first phase of their job action back in September: confusion over the issues seems to be running rampant among members of the public.
I don’t know if B.C. Teachers’ Federation president Susan Lambert has just done a lousy job of getting her members’ point across, or if cash-strapped families can’t see past teachers asking for a 15 per cent wage increase over three years.
I admit I tend to side with the teachers. In every classroom I have visited, whether in my own child’s school or at schools throughout the district, I’ve seen nothing but dedication. And contrary to what government has been spouting about report cards, I’ve had no trouble getting information about my child’s progress.
I wasn’t thrilled with the three-day strike, as it cost me money to put my child in day care all day, but I also see that teachers weren’t left with a lot of choice in getting their message across.
The arrogance of Education Minister George Abbott in imposing Bill 22 has left me somewhat speechless.
And his heading off to China to troll for international students at a time of crisis across the province is truly astonishing. International students bring a lot to the district, and not just money, but his timing left something to be desired.
When Premier Christy Clark was education minister, she began the process 10 years ago by imposing legislation that stripped teacher’s collective agreements of their bargaining rights and of guarantees for quality learning conditions for students. And even though the B.C. Supreme Court found the bills illegal and unconstitutional, the government has done nothing to show respect for the ruling.
And as for mediation, the government’s idea of a mediator is to appoint one who will agree to the employer’s demands. Last time I checked, we still live in a democracy, where employees have the right to bargain. The Liberal government, in imposing its draconian legislation, seems to have conveniently forgotten that small point.
The irony of the government referring to Bill 22 as the Education Improvement Act has not been lost on teachers who will now be faced with no limits on the number of students in their classes from Grades 4 to 12. There will also be no limits on the number of students with diagnosed special needs in a single class.
In speaking to learning resource teachers, they are already faced with an almost impossible situation on a daily basis. Enrolment across the district may be going down every year, but students with special needs are not. And while those students who have actually been ministry-coded and qualify for an individual education plan, there are many who do not, who are what teachers refer to as “grey area” students. They still need the help, but since they’re not coded, they don’t get the funding.
In a class of 30 students, with several special needs students and perhaps several with behavioral issues, there is little time left for the teacher to give that extra attention that may be needed, to any of their students, whether special needs or mainstream.
It doesn’t sound like an improvement in education to me.
– lifestyles@vernonmorningstar.com
