Where the main parties stand on education issues

Is B.C.’s education system adequately funded? Should people pay interest on student loans? Should ESL and high school upgrading courses be offered free of charge?

Opinions on how best to answer these questions are offered by the three main parties in their election platforms as the province prepares to head to the polls on May 9.

Education funding

All three parties are pledging to review the funding formula for school districts. They are now funded on a per-student basis, which makes it tough for rural districts and those with declining enrolment.

The Liberals tout the $1.4 billion they’ve spent on new and improved schools and the $300 million they’ve recently added to the system to pay for teachers. But they don’t say the courts forced them to hire those teachers. Instead, they say they will maintain what they call B.C.’s “world-leading” education system.

The NDP also pledges to provide “stability and proper funding” to the education system, including $30 million a year for school supplies and a capital fund for school playgrounds. It will also provide new technology, lab equipment, learning material and professional development for teachers, the party says.

The Green party says it would increase funding for public schools by $220 million next year and by as much as $1.46 billion more by 2020, over and above the $330 million being spent to cover the cost of the Supreme Court of Canada decision clauses in the teachers’ contracts.

Student loans and the post-secondary sector

The Liberals say they would lower the interest rate on student loans to the prime rate and maintain the two per cent cap on tuition fee increases at post-secondary schools. They say they will change some student loan qualification rules to make it easier to get a loan and will provide a 50-per-cent tuition rebate to veterans.

The NDP says it will eliminate interest on student loans, even existing loans, and that it will give students receiving assistance a $1,000 completion grant. Tuition fees at post-secondary schools would be capped, but no specific cap is mentioned. The NDP would allow student renters to receive its proposed $400-a-year renters’ tax rebate.

Andrew Weaver’s Green party would bring in grants for post-secondary students and provide tax forgiveness of up to $2,000 a year for five years to repay tuition debt. The Green would also spend $65 million on co-op and work-experience programs for high school and post-secondary students.

Seismic upgrades

The Liberals pledge to spend up to $2 billion over the next three years to build new schools, fix up old schools and address areas of enrolment growth. They’ve said they will miss their 2020 deadline to make schools safe in an earthquake and have a new deadline of 2030 for Vancouver schools.

The NDP promises to accelerate seismic upgrades, but doesn’t specify a completion date.

The Green party did not commit to a date for seismic upgrades.

Portables

In Surrey, where about 6,000 students learn in portables, the Liberals will spend $217 million for up to 5,200 new student spaces.

The NDP promised to replace portables in Surrey with new schools.

The Green party has not made any promises about Surrey schools.