The Surrey Board of Trade made its needs and wants known to the B.C. government ahead of the release of next year's provincial budget.CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade Anita Huberman says a big part of the presentation focused on exploring how plummeting natural gas revenues will affect key areas of interest to Surrey. "You need education, you need … [Read more...]
Surrey Board of Trade: Natural gas collapse could compromise education, transportation
September 17, 2012 by
A bright patch in education?
September 3, 2012 by
The Vice-Chair of the New Westminster School Board says this school year promises to be a bit more stable, at least to start. Michael Ewen is glad the teachers have a contract to start the school year, and says that should lead to more stability but does admit there's the potential for that to change, "It'll be interesting to see, you know, … [Read more...]
Education critic says “law is the law” for Cowichan School District
July 2, 2012 by
The NDP's education critic says he can sympathize with the Cowichan Valley board of education. Trustees were fired yesterday, after failing to balance the budget for the upcoming school year, as required by the Schools Act.Robin Austin was asked if he would have done the same thing. "I can, at least, accept the frustration of the Cowichan School … [Read more...]
Education Minister calls BCTF ratification vote “terrific”
June 30, 2012 by
After the BCTF ratification vote BC's Education minister is hoping the next academic year will be free of any job action. George Abbott also isn't reading anything into the fact 48% of teachers didn't vote at all. "I am first off just very pleased that they were able to secure over 75-percent ratification I think that is terrific … [Read more...]
Stand up for adult education
June 21, 2012 by
Students, parents and teachers spoke out at a public forum Wednesday night about how adult education has helped them. This, in the face of Provincial funding cuts. The Education Ministry had chopped funding for some courses that lead to high school completion, and changed how others are funded. One of those decisions has been fixed, but … [Read more...]
BC’s Education minister welcomes LRB ruling, hopes for mediation with teachers
May 3, 2012 by
BC's Education minister sees new hope after the Labour Relations Board ruled on the jurisdiction issue over a government appointed mediator. George Abbott says his hope is the mediation process can continue now that the Labour Board has ruled, removing Charles Jago is matter for the courts. Abbott said "As the LRB put it in dismissing … [Read more...]
Some say the Education Ministry got it right
April 27, 2012 by
The head of the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils says School Districts have been asking for more flexibility in the school calendar. This, after the Province announced a bill to eliminate the standard calendar and pave the way for just that, "I think we will see more discussions on spring break; whether one week or two weeks is … [Read more...]
Education Minister George Abbott is going to bat for his pick for mediator, again.
April 12, 2012 by
Another day, and Education Minister George Abbott is standing by his mediator, Charles Jago. The BCTF is determined to have Jago fired, and is working to figure out whether this will be argued before the labour board, or the courts. Abbott says this isn't about ramming legislation through "........why on earth would we go to all … [Read more...]
BC’s Education Minister clarifies mediator Charles Jago’s access to, and role in, Bill 22.
April 10, 2012 by
BC's Education Minister says the government appointed mediator in the teachers contract dispute did indeed get a sneek peek at Bill 22 but not in the way the BCTF is suggesting. In a statement Education Minister George Abbott says he did meet with Charles Jago before tabling Bill 22. Abbott adds it was after identifying Jago as a … [Read more...]
