Some half million public school students headed back to school in Canada’s pacific coast province of British Columbia on Monday (September 22) for their first day of the new school year, after teachers approved a contract to end a strike that dates back to before the end of the last school year.
Students missed the first three weeks of classes in September and the last two weeks of classes in June but the province’s Education Minister Peter Fassbender said the government has no plans to extend the school year to make up for lost class time.
Although salary questions were part of the conflict with the government, teachers were concerned about class sizes and other educational issues.
Back in June when the teachers started their strike their website called A Fair Deal the teachers appealed to parents: “Teachers are asking for support from parents to help us advocate for public education… to fight for your kids and their futures. And you only need to look at today’s headlines to see why we are taking a stand. All over BC, the provincial government is forcing school boards to eliminate programs, cut hundreds more teachers, and take away support for kids with special needs.”
More information:
CBC News – B.C. teachers’ strike: Public school students back in class today – here
Globe and Mail – B.C. teachers return to work emotionally bruised – here
The Province – The silver lining of the B.C. teachers’ strike – here
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