Latest news with #SurreyDistrictParentAdvisoryCouncil
Global News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Warning of a ‘crisis' in public education as parents rally at B.C. legislature
Parents frustrated with what they say is a 'crisis' in British Columbia's public education system took their message to the B.C. legislature on Monday. The rally, organized by a group called B.C. Families for Public Education and parent advisory councils from several B.C. communities, say the public school system is chronically underfunded, with students paying the price. 'This has been a long time coming, way too long,' said Anne Whitmore, chair of the Surrey District Parent Advisory Council. 'We are calling on the government to prioritize our children. To prioritize the people who support them, to prioritize the people who teach them … and to prioritize their future, which is our future.' Parents point to overcrowded classrooms, cuts to programs and insufficient supports for students with learning challenges or complex needs. Story continues below advertisement 2:18 Parents and students protesting budget cuts at Surrey schools They highlighted the Surrey School District's $16-million shortfall, which led to the elimination of the Grade 7 band program and 50 education assistant positions, as well as cuts to the Head Start preschool programs. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'We are underfunded. We are in a deficit in Surrey,' mother of two Gwynn Redlich told Global News. 'They don't have the support they need, especially my younger son — he needs support in his class, and it's just not there for him. Grade 7, going into high school next year, and he is going to be struggling next year because he is behind.' 5:05 Surrey Board of Education passes balanced budget despite $16 million shortfall The groups further argue that public education funding hasn't kept pace with inflation. Story continues below advertisement B.C. Education Minister Lisa Beare said she met with the parents on Monday and that she understood their concerns. She said the province had hiked education funding by $300 million in this year's budget. 'We have increased our per-pupil funding from $9,000 when we formed government to $13,600 per student, so we are continuing to increase. I absolutely hear the increase around inflation, these are very difficult times,' she said. 'This is a difficult fiscal time for everyone. Every single family, every single non-profit, every level of government are facing difficult financial choices in this tough economic environment.'
CBC
12-02-2025
- CBC
Surrey parent committee president questions police training after student shooting
Anne Whitmore, president of the Surrey District Parent Advisory Council, says there needs to be more conversations around how to accommodate neurodivergent children amid the reality of police interaction. She spoke to CBC's On The Coast two days after a Surrey student was shot and killed by police.
