B.C.’s new budget is getting a failing grade from educators.
The provincial government is pumping an extra $564 million into education over three years to cover union contracts, but school districts across B.C. have been instructed to cut administration spending by $29 million next school year and $25 million in 2016/17.
“We are disappointed that the government is taking money out of the system,” said Sterling Olsen, North Okanagan-Shuswap School District secretary-treasurer.“We are not sure where they believe the savings will come from.”
The impact of the provincial budget on individual districts won’t be known until March 15, but the North Okanagan-Shuswap district could experience a 2015/16 shortfall of $1.3 to $2.8 million.
“It will mean reduced services and programs,” said Olsen.
Teachers are blasting the government.
“The latest budget from the provincial government is a broken promise to make learning conditions like class composition a priority,” said Brenda O’Dell, North Okanagan-Shuswap Teachers Association president. “The government says cuts will have to be made to non-instructional programs, but doesn’t say what those could be. We’ve already seen big cuts to adult basic education and other important programs this year. School districts will be hit hard by this multi-million dollar cut and the unfunded cost pressures like a four per cent increase to MSP premiums.”
Greg Kyllo, Shuswap MLA, defends the government.
“We’re still seeing declining enrolment across the province. That may be part of the challenge,” he said.