VANCOUVER, BC - Iain Black will put students first and get B.C. back to basics.
“The education system should focus on student achievement, starting with reading and math at grade level. But for years the NDP government has focused on the wrong priorities: eroding standards, introducing ideology in the classroom, silencing the voice of parents and marginalizing great teachers who just want to teach. B.C. has lost focus on what matters and how our students can compete globally,” said Black. “Fixing this will require focus, tenacity and an understanding of the current context. This is why experience matters.”
WHAT WILL CHANGE
- Back to basics: reading, writing, math, STEM
- Real report cards with letter grades
- Standardized testing to measure results
- Safe classrooms focused on academics & life skills
- Teachers teaching - not politics & ideology
PARENTS BACK IN CHARGE
- Repeal SOGI.
- Parents – not government – will have a central role in the important decisions affecting their children
- Full transparency in classrooms on sexuality curriculum; what is taught, and at what age
- Insist on tolerance, respect, and acceptance for all students, regardless of background, religion, sexual orientation or personal circumstances
RESTORE COMMON SENSE
- Start every school day with O Canada
- Refocus schools on respect, achievement, civility, and pride in Canada
- Remove divisive and ideological language from school-led activities
- Prohibit Indigenous land acknowledgements that use language like “colonizers” or “settlers” or “unceded”, or refer to “stolen land” and any “permission” being granted to be on it.
- Ensure classrooms are not used to advance BCTF political agendas or their international campaigns
- Return to clear standards that help students succeed in life
- Remove partisan political advocacy and activism from classrooms
- Restore trust and respect in our public education system by keeping classrooms focused on education - not ideology
“Education is about students - not ideology,” said Black. “We will fix the basics, respect parents, and make sure every child can succeed while reflecting the best of Canadian values”.