B.C. Teachers’ Union Calls for Increased Funding as School Year Approaches

As students in British Columbia prepare to return to school, the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) is urging the provincial government to address critical funding shortfalls affecting education. The call comes as various organizations, including the Salvation Army Gateway of Hope, step up to provide essential resources to families facing financial challenges.

In Langley, the Salvation Army Gateway of Hope has reported a significant increase in demand for its back-to-school programs. According to Dan Donkers, the operations manager, many families benefiting from their services allocate approximately 50 percent of their monthly income to rent. This financial strain often leaves little for school supplies. “They can just focus on school and not worry about it. Will I have a pencil or a book or the necessary things I need today?” Donkers stated in an interview with CTV News.

This year, the organization plans to deliver 750 backpacks filled with school supplies to students in the Langley School District, a notable increase from the 300 to 400 backpacks prepared during the pandemic. Donkers emphasized that providing these supplies offers students a solid start to the academic year.

The issue of school supply shortages extends beyond Langley. The Surrey School District has issued a call for support on its website, stating that over 100 schools have requested a total of 2,225 backpacks filled with new supplies, an increase of 800 from the previous year. The district’s urgent appeal reflects a concerning trend in educational funding.

Carole Gordon, president of the BCTF, described the necessity for fundraising efforts for basic classroom supplies as “unprecedented.” She highlighted that when school districts start soliciting funds to cover fundamental needs, it signals a serious issue within the educational system. “When we start to see school districts asking for funds and fundraising to do the basics within our system, that’s serious,” Gordon remarked.

In response to these challenges, Lisa Beare, the Minister of Education, acknowledged the financial pressures faced by the sector. “I know the sector is facing pressure this year. Every level of government, every business, every industry is facing financial pressure and increasing global uncertainty,” Beare stated. She pointed out that despite these challenges, the government has protected core funding for education and increased it by over $300 million.

The provincial government is providing the Surrey School District with $1 billion in operating funding and grants, with Beare assuring collaboration with the district to identify and overcome challenges, ensuring all students have access to necessary resources.

Looking ahead, B.C. teachers are scheduled to resume negotiations at the end of October after their current agreement expired in June. Gordon reiterated the importance of advocating for improved funding to meet students’ needs. “We continue to advocate for better funding for schools, better funding for classrooms so that students have their needs met,” she affirmed.

The Salvation Army Gateway of Hope is set to deliver the backpacks on August 28, 2023, and will continue to accept school supplies throughout the year. For those interested in donating, further information is available on their website.