This Monday, February 6, join us for a discussion of the purpose of public education, the current state of public education in British Columbia, and what concerned citizens can do now.
Richmond Rally for Public Education
Led by Richmond Schools Stand United, kids, parents, grandparents, and concerned community members rallied in Richmond on September 17, 2016, to protest school closures and the continued underfunding of public education. Jen Stewart of FACE spoke about provincial underfunding and Andrea Sinclair of the Parent Advocacy Network talked about the importance of advocacy.
(Photo and videos by Amanda Hillis)
Public Education Matters
On the evening of Wednesday, August 31st, advocates, community members, and politicians gathered at Vancouver’s Douglas Elementary for the “Public Education Matters” forum organized by the Parent Advocacy Network (PAN) and hosted by the Douglas PAC.
Alex Hemingway of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives BC Office presented his report entitled “What’s the real story behind BC’s education funding crisis?” (The real story is that the BC government underfunds public education and uses misleading figures to obscure the underfunding.)
Andrea Sinclair of PAN next presented on advocacy: what it means and what it looks like. Advocacy means standing up for what you believe in. Andrea discussed how groups like PAN and FACE advocate in various ways for public education. She also explained the division of responsibilities within the education system.
Jen Stewart of FACE and PAN joined Alex and Andrea on the panel for a question and answer session, which included many thoughtful questions from the audience.
An informal networking and discussion session followed. FACE had an information table and a video booth set up (to collect videos for our next edition of “Can You Hear Us Now?”; more info on that soon!).
It was an informative and energizing way to prepare for the upcoming school year and all the advocacy that lies ahead. Many thanks to PAN for organizing and Douglas PAC for hosting.
If you have a Facebook account, you can find PAN’s Facebook Live broadcast of the evening here.
Next advocacy opportunities:
- Richmond Schools Stand United is organizing a rally on Saturday September 17, at 4:30 pm, outside MLA John Yap’s office in Steveston. Find the details here.
- The BC Legislature’s Select Standing Committee on Government and Finance will be holding public consultations around the province in September and October in order to prepare its recommendations for Budget 2017. Please register (beginning Sept. 6) to speak up for public education as a budget priority; alternatively, you can make a written, audio, or visual presentation and/or complete an online survey. Find information on registering, making submissions, and dates and locations here.
Upcoming event:
On October 5th, The Tyee is hosting an evening called “The Future of Public Education: Beyond the Headlines.” Jen Stewart of FACE and PAN is one of the speakers. Find more information and buy your tickets here.
This month: PAN forum & #ReThinkEducation
The kids might still be on summer vacation but public education advocacy is a year-round necessity. Here are two advocacy items to check out this month:
PAN’s “Public Education Matters” Forum
Mark your calendar for August 31st, and don’t forget to register if you need childcare. This is not just for parents—if you care about public education in BC, this evening is for you. You can find out more about guest speaker Alex Hemingway here.
#ReThinkEducation
As part of its #RethinkPoverty campaign, the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition’s August focus is #RethinkEducation. Check out the website to see how education underfunding contributes to poverty issues in BC, and how prioritizing education will benefit all British Columbians.
May 28: Rally for Public Education
This Saturday, May 28, at 1 pm, there is a rally for public education at the Vancouver Art Gallery. This rally is being organized and led by students; let’s show up to support them!
Find more info on the Facebook event page.
If you’re not in Vancouver or can’t make it to the rally on Saturday, you can always use our quick and easy email tool to give the minister of education and your MLA your input on public education funding.
What public education needs from BC Budget 2016
FACE presents to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services
Last year, in its Report on the Budget 2015 Consultations, the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services declared that, although public education was clearly a high priority for British Columbian citizens, it was not being funded by the government at a level adequate to meet the needs of students. The Committee made recommendations for stable and adequate funding to enable school boards to meet their mandate to provide quality public education.
This did not happen in the BC Government’s Budget 2015.
Continue reading What public education needs from BC Budget 2016
Parents want public education to be a priority again in BC
We’re meeting a lot of people at Car-Free Day on Main Street who want public education to be a priority in our province again. Talking to them about the importance of adequate funding for our children’s schools.
Common issues parents raising are: school safety and seismic upgrades; the never-ending fundraising; lack of field trips; and the change in their children’s learning experience when compared to the education experience parents had when they were in school.
Continue reading Parents want public education to be a priority again in BC
“State of Education” forum to feature FACE-Vancouver panelist
Jennifer Stewart of FACE-Vancouver will be a parent panelist at an education forum hosted by Vancouver-Fairview MLA George Heyman’s office. The panel will include parents, teachers and members of the Vancouver School Board. Continue reading “State of Education” forum to feature FACE-Vancouver panelist
Join FACE-Vancouver at the Main Street Car-Free Festival
Join us! Families Against Cuts-Vancouver will have a table at the Main Street Car-Free Festival on Sunday, June 21st. Drop by, we’d love to chat with you about how we can improve public education in our province — a strong public education system benefits us all.
FACE-Vancouver at Main Street Car-Free Festival
June 21, 2015 from 12:00 to 7:00pm
Our table will be on the east side of Main Street between 15th and 16th Avenue.
Let’s make public education a priority again in BC!
Families Against Cuts to Education 
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