In
an opinion piece, “A Letter To B.C. Parents, From A StrikingTeacher” posted to the Huffington Post on Sunday June 30th,
a teacher states:
"Dear
parents, I believe that my employer shouldn't be able to load up my
classroom without limits and expect that I'm going to provide a good
service for your child. It's just not... humanly possible."As I read that, I said to myself, “Is there really NO class size limits anymore?”
Now
for those who aren't aware, I am in my late 50's, and so I remember
classes when I went to school, when there were 30 to 32 students in a
classroom ... and just one teacher, no assistants. Even with that
many kids in the classroom, I honestly don't recall there being an
issue with the teachers having the ability to spend time with us, nor
for us to learn.
So
back to the letter; would you agree it appears that the teacher is
implying there are now no limit to class sizes?
Well
nothing can be further from the truth as BC Teachers Federation
President Jim Iker himself stated on January 27th of this year, in
the Vancouver Sun ... and I quote;
" ... in 2002, kindergarten class sizes were capped at 20 students, while Grades 1 to 3 were capped at 22. Today, those limits are 22 and 24, so each primary class will have to go down by two students. In 2002, class sizes for Grades 4 to 12 were negotiated by each school district ... "
" ... in 2002, kindergarten class sizes were capped at 20 students, while Grades 1 to 3 were capped at 22. Today, those limits are 22 and 24, so each primary class will have to go down by two students. In 2002, class sizes for Grades 4 to 12 were negotiated by each school district ... "
As to the question of whether or not we need more
teachers, well that same story in the Vancouver Sun went on to
say:
"The total number of students in the province has also changed since 2002 ... this year, there are 558,985 students attending public schools in B.C. In 2002, there were 621,200 students."
"The total number of students in the province has also changed since 2002 ... this year, there are 558,985 students attending public schools in B.C. In 2002, there were 621,200 students."
I guess my point in all of this is ... I
wish the BCTF, and 'some' of its' members, would just stick to the
facts, and not make them up as they go.
Furthermore
to that teacher, who ends her letter to BC parents with the
following:
“Dear
parents, this strike has put your family (and mine) through the
wringer -- I get that -- but somehow you are still with us in
support. I acknowledge your sacrifices and inconveniences... I honk
for you!” I want you to know that 'Yes' this strike is putting parents of school age children through the wringer ... 'Yes' I appreciate the work you put in teaching our children ... but 'No', I don't support your demands ... and finally, don't bother with the symbolic honking of the horn to me; it's just going to make me more annoyed at this whole situation.
The sad fact is that this action by the BCTF will impact everyone involved ... teachers, administration, support staff, parents, and especially students ... and the younger they are, the more trauma they will suffer.
The longer this goes on, there will be more negativity felt towards teachers. In fact, I believe the actions of the BCTF will have long-term negative results which will last for many many years.
I'm Alan Forseth in Kamloops, with the thoughts of one conservative.
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