My comment to SUN article re upcoming teacher/government negotiations https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/b-c-schools-2019-expect-funding-review-teacher-shortages-contract-negotiations
Reading this well-researched article and the attached links convinces me that our education system in BC certainly needs a new funding approach. There are so many demands on the scarce taxpayer dollar, so many parties with their priorities, and parents still clambering for the rationed services needed for special needs students.
And the broader public still has not been consulted nor allowed to weigh in. One comment to the Sun story already suggests that a new model of provision should factor in a larger online education service. This, he proposes, would “do wonders for the skyrocketing costs as well as probably get the students back to learning the three R’s”.
I particularly like his emphasis on the 3 R’s and if we read the story carefully we see that many parents are concerned about students’ ability to read — the foremost and primary skill all students should be assured of. A simple test given to Kindergarten students, costing $4 each, for example, would identify those who need specialized reading attention early. This would save costs right from the start because further expensive psychosocial tests ($3000 ea) would not be needed for many of these students if early intervention succeeds. And, very costly remediation programs now in place wouldn’t be needed.
Another comment from a reader suggested tapping into new resources instead of the old standby of burdening taxpayers further. He suggested returns from pot or liquor sales could be tapped. I would suggest that charities and foundations or even simple fund-raising could help find that urgent $4 per Kindergarten child to launch them on the road to confident reading. The right to read is one right we should all get behind.