[This was published in Hansard, Aug. 17, 1983 (24 yrs ago) when the Social Credit government was introducing Bill 6, Education Finance Amendment Act dealing with tighter controls over school board spending.]
MR. PARKS: I think the people of British Columbia are beginning to understand what the opposition in their protracted debates, not only on Bill 6 but on the entire legislative package . . . .
This morning there appeared – it was quite timely, I should note – a letter to the editor. Since I’ve seen members of the opposition grope for support for their position, referring to letters to the editor, I would suggest there is a balance in those columns. I would note that this letter, in my opinion, accurately reflects the opinion of the majority of the people in this province. As I said, in this morning’s Province the following letter to the editor appeared:
Crawford Killian, Province education writer, complains that government actions are brutal measures ‘against teachers, administrators and trustees.’ Apologists for the system like Killian often miss the point of education. It’s for children, not the convenience of teachers, administrators or trustees.”
I’m sure that comment is shared by the vast majority of British Columbians. The author goes on:
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I am fed up with educators and their apologists who always complain about teacher jobs and lack of taxing control when the prime concern should be whether the needs of children will be served. If more parents were allowed in decision-making, you can be sure children’s needs would come first!
If we come down to rock bottom, we don’t necessarily need teachers nor masses of money for education to happen. But we will always need good models and mentors for our children. Parents concerned that the public schools will be a battleground this fall are already asking questions about alternatives, such as vouchers, home education, computers and private schools.”
I find it most disconcerting that parents are thinking about the necessity of considering alternatives to our public school system. We have, in my opinion, one of the finest public school systems in this country, if not in the Western world. The only thing that a measure like Bill 6 can bring about is a further improvement of that public school system. The author concludes:
Our present government school system has been steadily, over a decade, losing public confidence and credibility, and until we can institute some strong measures of public accountability, I predict this disaffection will continue to grow.”
That’s from one Tunya Audain of West Vancouver. I think that is a fine example of what is happening in our province. Rather than listen to the negativism – worrying about teachers and teacher-pupil ratios – it’s time to remember that we are coming through some very tough economic times.