Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Chilliwack MLA Dan Coulter

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Investing in our schools for a successful year

Sep 6, 2023 | 10:08 AM

THIS WEEK, STUDENTS ARE GOING back to school in communities across B.C. Whether it’s the first day of kindergarten or the start of Grade 12, this week always brings anticipation, excitement and friends old and new.

School helps to shape our kids’ lives and their futures. That’s why we are always investing in B.C.’s schools to make sure students have what they need to thrive.

Since New Democrats formed government in 2017, we’ve dedicated almost $3.9 billion toward new schools, expansions, seismic upgrades and land for future schools to keep up with rapid growth in many communities.

This week in my community of Chilliwack, we announced that a new elementary school is on the way, with room for 500 students in a growing community. This is just one of many announcements happening across the province.

While this is great news, we know that for many families, back to school can be an expensive and stressful time. It’s clear global inflation is making life more expensive for everyone, and families with kids are feeling the pressure of rising costs for things like school supplies and groceries.

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It’s important that every student has the nutritious food they need to learn and thrive at school and at home. No student should go to school hungry or have trouble focusing because they haven’t eaten enough for lunch.

Many school districts had been working hard to offer food programs for students in need, but more support was needed. That’s why our government launched the Feeding Futures initiative, providing districts with reliable funding to create or expand existing food programs. This will help make sure that those most in need receive healthy food, so they are ready to learn all year.

As we work to make sure kids have the food and spaces they need to learn, we are also making sure our curriculum is setting them up for success.

This year marks the start of a new high school graduation requirement – students must complete some Indigenous-focused coursework before they graduate from Grade 12. This new requirement will help to build awareness and understanding of Indigenous perspectives, cultures and histories.

Reconciliation is a part of our society as a province, and this requirement is one more way we are preparing students for lifelong learning as we work towards building a more educated, respectful and inclusive British Columbia.

On behalf of our New Democrat government, I want to thank all of the teachers, administrators and all the other staff who make our schools amazing places to learn. I want to wish students and their families a fun, rewarding and successful school year.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.