Graduated Adult Course Fees to Hurt “Struggling Youth” Says Trustee
Prince George, B.C. – Graduated adult course fees went into effect May 1, and they’re going to have a negative effect “on our struggling youth,” according to a Prince George school trustee.
“I definitely believe the government should not be expecting our youth that are already struggling, to try to get ahead, to have to pay those additional fees, that should be the government,” says Sharel Warrington, who was one of two trustees in Prince George to vote against the new fees(Bob Harris was the other).
Who does she fear the fees will affect most?
“Single mom’s who have young children who graduated without all the requirements they would need to upgrade into college or university courses, she says. “Young mothers who are struggling and probably making minimum wage, just to get ahead and would love to improve their situation.”
Warrington says the fees will prove a hardship on young men too.
“Who find themselves in the same position where they need to upgrade for further trades and other career options. I just feel we handicap our youth if we don’t support them in improving their lives.”
Starting May 1, fees were introduced in school districts and colleges across the province. At the Prince George School District, fees started at $560 per course and will increase to $575 October 1.
The fees were prompted by the provincial government, when it announced in December it would stop paying for adults who have high school diplomas and who are taking Grade 10 to 12 courses through their respective school districts.
In an email, the Ministry of Education tells 250 News “The adult upgrading policy change will save approximately $9 million annually, beginning in the 2015/16 fiscal year. Available savings from the policy change will be re-invested into the education system.”
Comments
I am trying to figure out what he is saying here. How many “single moms” who have a grade 12 dogwood certificate need to upgrade to get into college courses? I am not saying there are none, I don’t know the numbers, maybe Warrington can tell us how many people are in this boat.
Those without a grade 12 certificate can still upgrade to get their dogwood for free can they not? The Provincial Government funds these people at 6,900 per year if they go back as a FTE.
Lots of students have graduated but did not know what they were going to take after. They find out that they can’t live off minimum wage at a fast food outlet and start looking at college etc. Then they find out that they need chemistry or physics not biology so have to take a course. Or maybe they didn’t have a high enough math mark and need to upgrade. Sometimes you just can’t get the course at your school. If they are full it’s too bad for you. You go on a wait list and hope someone drops it in the first few days.
They announce all this funding for LNG jobs that haven’t happened yet and take it away from the people that need basic courses.
People who have not graduated can still complete their dogwood for free. My question is how many people started and did not complete their courses when it was free. The colleges continue to put many people through trades foundation courses and only 20% of those (according to ITA) actually ever follow through and complete their Red Seal.
People generally do not appreciate things that are free and when you have no skin in the game many are less motivated to follow through. Perhaps they could have a system where if you pass these courses with the grades required to get into your college or university program your tuition is returned to you.
I know this doesn’t address the issue of financial barriers that Ms Warrington raised but I have worked with lower skilled individuals for decades and if you don’t make people accountable for completing courses they won’t.
We are definitely in a society of “why should there be consequences.” coupled with “why should I have to pay for that” coupled with “why can’t I have that now” coupled with “the government should pay for everything” coupled with “I don’t vote, it makes no difference.”
This government continues to see Education as an expense rather than an investment. It is not take rocket science to figure out that a better educated work force will result in increased potential tax base.
*does not take
I know someone who was chronically underemployed getting UIC for a good portion of each year. This person took correspondence courses to get grade 12 and then took a course at CNC the government was willing to help pay for which would not have been affordable otherwise. This person went from being in the lowest tax bracket and getting UIC every year to paying $20,000 plus in taxes every year and no EI. I think it was a very good return on investment by the government of the day.
Ski50, Good on you for saying the Truth!
Where are the fathers of the kids of these single mothers.
I think they might be found on the Maury Povich show cougs
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