Bill 11 “Anti-Democratic” Argues BCTF
Terri Mooring, 2nd Vice-President, BCTF – photo 250 News
Prince George, B.C. – “Concerning.”
The words of BC Teachers Federation 2nd vice-president Terri Mooring in response to the provincial government’s new education bill, Bill 11.
“Yes, it’s very concerning, on a number of levels,” said Mooring while in Prince George Monday. “One level is, the sort of anti-democratic measures contained within it for school boards.”
She called it “enabling legislation,” which essentially means teachers won’t know how it’s actually going to be enacted until it becomes law (it passed 2nd reading earlier this week).
“So until the regulations are written, we really don’t know how it’s going to impact us. But we do know we’re concerned about school boards, and the minister’s (Education Minister Peter Fassbender) ability to override their decisions, to direct them to make projects.”
Mooring said it could result in Fassbender making decisions in Prince George rather than democratically elected trustees which she noted “really undermines” school board autonomy.
She also has privacy concerns noting the bill “enables information and data to be shared about students” which Mooring notes would be a violation under the Education Act.
Mooring added the bill could also have implications for teachers professional development as well.
“Prince George teachers have a proud history of having really high quality professional development here,” said Mooring. “So to be told by Minister Fassbender that teachers need to take certain courses perhaps, when teachers take professional development seriously already, we’re trying to figure out what problem to solve.”
Ultimately she figures the bill is an attempt to distract from what she said is the real issue in education right now, under-funding.
“Huge under-funding issues in all regions of the province. While Minister Fassbender calls that a myth, we know on the ground, school boards know that it’s a problem and it appears perhaps he wants to have more control over school boards to limit their ability to advocate around under-funding issues.”
Comments
The real issue is the complete lack of accountability within the teaching ranks. It seems that once you’re in you can be as incompetent as a stump and still keep your job.
We need a merit based system versus a seniority based one. Not just in teaching but in all the publicly funded sectors.
Just another heavy handed tactic by the liberals. Education funding cuts to both the public schools and colleges. The longest wait times in Canada for surgery.
If it wasn’t for Christy’s families first policy just think how bad it would be.
Axman, RIGHT ON BROTHER!
@axman this article is about bill 11, which doesn’t deal with your concern at all. What Bill 11 does is prevent school trustee from voicing their opinions on the state of education in the province. If they do, the Minister of Education can dismiss them basically on a whim and replace with whoever he wants, doesn’t have to be someone we’ve elected.
That’s anti-democratic, as the title says. Are you okay with that?
the joys of having a majority government they can do whatever they want to whomever they want whenever they want and for as long as they want with little or no repercussions.
B.C. really has only two main parties. There is no third party with a number of seats. When there is no significant elected third party representation to join forces with one of the other main parties (to form a coalition) there will be only one totally predictable result:
A majority government! A minority governmnent is impossible. The first past the post voting and election system ensures that it will always be like that!
Had a teacher that every student hated. We all thought she was a terrible teacher. She use to make you stay after school if you did not do your homework or work in class. She also phoned home and talked to our parents. Yet, she cared and would spend hours helping you. Even after I left that class, I new I could go to her for help. I get tired of hearing people that put down teachers.
Posted on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 @ 7:55 AM by Fate
@axman this article is about bill 11, which doesn’t deal with your concern at all. What Bill 11 does is prevent school trustee from voicing their opinions on the state of education in the province. If they do, the Minister of Education can dismiss them basically on a whim and replace with whoever he wants, doesn’t have to be someone we’ve elected.
——–
I was commenting on her comment, “Ultimately she figures the bill is an attempt to distract from what she said is the real issue in education right now, under-funding.”
The Citizen today had an article about teachers as well. I get tired of hearing from the teachers. They act like they are the only ones who don’t have enough staff in place at work to work effectively and the only ones who work long hours. I understand that these aren’t ideal conditions to work in and shouldn’t exist but they do for most of us. I would have more support for the the teachers is they took their heads out of the sand and acknowledged that others (especially in the public service) work under these conditions too.
Note to teachers: you’re not the only ones doing work that is beneficial to society!
Ax and Born, you guys nailed it, well done.
Is it possible the nails are bent or maybe twisted?
Teachers stating “it’s all about the kids” = Christy Clark exclaiming “families first”. It’s the same line of garbage coming the same kind of self serving people. I’m sick and tired of getting lied to my face from both sides.
Comments for this article are closed.