The British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) is calling for education to be a top priority in the upcoming 2024 provincial election. The union, which represents over 45,000 teachers in the province, is urging all political parties to make a commitment to improving the education system.
In a statement released on Monday, BCTF President Teri Mooring emphasized the importance of investing in education for the future of British Columbia. She stated, “Education is the foundation of our society and it is crucial that we prioritize it in our political agendas.”
The BCTF is specifically calling for increased funding for public education, as well as addressing issues such as class sizes, support for students with special needs, and the recruitment and retention of teachers. Mooring also highlighted the need for a comprehensive plan to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education system.
The union’s call for action comes after the release of a report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which ranked Canada 26th out of 37 countries in terms of education spending as a percentage of GDP. This is a significant drop from Canada’s ranking of 12th in 2010.
Mooring stated, “It is concerning to see Canada’s ranking in education spending decline over the past decade. We need to see a commitment from our government to invest in our students and teachers.”
The BCTF’s call for education to be a key issue in the 2024 election has been met with support from other education organizations, including the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils. President Andrea Sinclair stated, “We fully support the BCTF’s call for education to be a priority in the upcoming election. Our students deserve a well-funded and supported education system.”
The BCTF is urging all political parties to make a commitment to education in their platforms for the 2024 election. Mooring stated, “We need to see a clear plan from all parties on how they will invest in education and support our students and teachers. Our future depends on it.”
