Anxiety about BC College of Teachers reforms

Vancouver Sun blog - Report Card - An in-depth look at the BC education system
Janet Steffenhagen
September 28, 2011

Education Minister George Abbott has said little about his plan for fixing the B.C. College of Teachers in response to Don Avison’s critical report last year. But I’m hearing plenty of concern about the direction he’s believed to be headed.

(Abbott is playing his cards close to his chest, but I’ve picked up tidbits about the plan, which I will mention later.)

Abbott has met extensively with the B.C. Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) in drafting his bill. Recently, he said he’s spent about 30 hours with the union leadership while developing a bill to be introduced in the legislature during the fall sitting.

That’s more time than he’s spent with any other partner group, and it’s causing some to question whether the government is serious about addressing the key issue raised by Avison: BCTF interference in the college’s business. (BCTF president Susan Lambert denies that charge and describes Avison’s report as spurious and flawed.)

Now, the president of the B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils (BCCPAC) is urging Abbott to call an immediate meeting of the provincial learning roundtable so that education partners can talk about the college’s future before the minister tables his bill.

To view the rest of the blog posting, click here.