I am a mother, grandmother, and a nurse. I have recently walked the picket lines with teachers in Nanaimo and Qualicum Beach. I believe to understand the issues in any situation you need to talk with the front-line workers which I did, the teachers and an EA friend of mine.
It is well documented that even in the poorest countries, an education is revered and gives hope for a future. B.C. has the highest percentage of child poverty in Canada along with the second lowest funding per child for education. Why is this allowed in this province? Teachers have provided, out of their own pocket, school supplies, sports gear, the list goes on. I saw teachers cry, they would rather be teaching than this job action.
Last Wednesday, six males drove by the QBMS teachers with their middle fingers up at the teachers. One guy driving a convertible threw his arm up with the finger on display just laying on his horn. Did he care about the horrified looks on the faces of the children in the car in front of him? You can disagree with respect. I noticed that every car with parents and children on board waved and honked.
Tuesday, an elderly man drove past us at QBMS and yelled “I don’t support you, I support the bloody kids.” Nice respectful term for children. An elderly woman at the beach said “Look at the trouble the teachers have caused parents.” Teachers didn’t cause this and they have children too, now they have no income.
Maybe the armchair critics should question how the government doesn’t have to abide by a Supreme Court ruling. Put the blame where it belongs. It really does take a village to raise a child.
Therese Dykstra
Nanaimo
