Public funding of private schools boosted by Ministry
The Ministry this year gave independent schools a $5 million increase based on the Labour Settlement Fund resulting from the strike by public school teachers. Private schools get even more if the district they are located in is funded for drops in enrolment. Read the details here.

Independent school funding has increased more than 60% in the last decade, compared to less than 20% for public schools. Ministry budget projections for the next 3 years show further major gains. More...

Jim Iker joins many at protest about Mexican students 

Education funding—questions and answers
Does education funding for public schools even keep up with general inflation? What about other downloaded costs? Find answers to these and other questions about education funding.

Parent group creates petition for new funding in 2015 provincial budget
The parent group, Protect Public Education Now (PPEN), was formed during the 2014 strike and offered outspoken support for teachers’ goals. Their online petition calls on the BC government to respect the recommendations from the Legislature’s own finance committee to increase public education spending in the provincial budget. Sign the petition here.

Keep up to date with professional issues
The BCTF Pro-D News is a monthly online newsletter informing members about issues such as teacher autonomy and Pro-D choices, professional learning communities, teacher inquiry, use of Pro-D days, research from Federation staff, Ministry initiatives, and much more. If you would like to suggest items for the newsletter, please email Jenny Garrels.

From BCeSIS to MyEducation BC—a look at critical issues
The ministry has adopted MyEducation BC as the new student information system for BC schools to replace BCeSIS. New technologies always raise issues—from implementation and support to privacy in the era of “Big data.” This Powerpoint frames some of these issues.