B.C.’s education policies are flawed

The province has downloaded increasing costs to school districts — including the carbon tax.

Education funding in B.C. is $1,000 lower per student than the Canadian average. K-12 funding has fallen steadily from 3.3 per cent of B.C.’s GDP in 2001 to a projected 2.5 per cent in the 2016 budget — a 25 per cent decline.

B.C.’s funding formula is flawed. The government has failed to formulate equitable educational policies. Priorities need refocusing. The government has a $1.9-billion surplus, yet social services and schools suffer. Educators and trustees need autonomy to make wise decisions. No more cutbacks and imposition of policies formed without thoughtful consultation with educators. Education is a right, not a privilege. Gian Sihota, president, Richmond-Queensborough NDP constituency