School trustees passed three resolutions at their AGM last weekend expressing concern with Bill 11 – the Education Statutes Amendment Act.
Teachers are opposed to the bill because they say it removed control over their own professional development; and the trustees want the Ministry of Education to live up to its Memorandum of Understanding on Co-Governance with the trustees.
Boards of education across the province “gave clear directions” to the B.C. School Trustee Association’s (BCSTA) executive to request the province withdraw several sections of the bill that override the authority of elected boards of education.
Trustees are frustrated that their Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Education seems to be ignored in this legislation.
“Trustees are concerned with changes to any legislation that erodes decision-making autonomy of boards of education,” SD 51 board chair and BCSTA president Teresa Rezansoff.
She criticized the process that brought the changes forward, saying that it is not clear to the BCSTA executive just what prompted the government to bring the changes forward.
The province hasn’t shown a lot of competence on the public education file over the past few years.
Top-down planning from Victoria goes against the basic principles of democracy.
If you are unsure about any of this then perhaps you should contact your local trustee and get filled in on the issue.
In the meantime, a little advice for the provincial government: when you find yourself in a hole, stop digging and start trying to find others who might help pull you out of the muck.