Advocating for BC’s Public Education System 

At IPE/BC we believe that public education is in the public interest. A high quality public school system that is accessible and welcoming to all is essential to a strong democracy and a healthy, equitable, and prosperous society.  We expect a great deal from our public schools and, in turn, they need our support. Together we must advocate for the funding, staffing, support and conditions that students, educators, parents, and school communities need. We’ve created this webpage to share resources for engagement and advocacy.  We’ll continue to add to it, so please check back regularly and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have questions or materials you’d like to recommend.

Key Issues

Education Funding 

Five Myths About Education Funding

Public Dollars Should go to Public Schools

BC Education Funding Facts 

Budget 2024 -What’s in Store for Public Education

-Restoring the Percentage of the GDP Spent on K-12 Public Education 

-IPE/BC Letter of Concern

Public School Staffing Shortages

-Teacher Shortages and Institutional Responses 

-Reflections on the Teacher Shortage: How Teachers are Paid Reinforces the Problem

-Attention to Staffing Shortages Urgently Needed

Funding and Supporting Inclusion

-Focusing Funding on Vulnerable Students (Recommendation 2, IPE Submission to Budget  Consultation Process 

School Facilities and Overcrowding

-Gone Forever: The Folly in Selling Off Public School Properties 

-Submission to the 2024 Budget Consultation Process (Recommendation 2 )

Privatization and Commercialization in Public Education

A Big No to Big O

-Choice- the Formula for Inequality 

-Beyond Resistance to Privatization: Rebuilding and Reclaiming Public Education

Contacts 

-Premier, Hon. David Eby- Premier@gov.bc.ca

-Minister of Education and Child Care, Hon. Lisa Beare-  ECC.Minister@gov.bc.ca

-Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Bowinn Ma (contact info coming soon)

-Minister of Finance, Hon. Brenda Bailey- FIN.Minister@gov.bc.ca

-School Board Chairpersons and Superintendents– Search by district and role

-MLAs by constituency

-Education Associations and Advocacy Organizations

IPE/BC Engagement During the 2024 BC Election 

During the campaign period, IPE/BC sent a set of questions on education issues to the candidates in every BC electoral district. The questions, which remain relevant and reflect our institute’s perspectives on the needs of public education, are included here for your interest, as are the replies we received from candidates and parties.

-Questions for candidates 

-Responses

-Education Platforms

Looking Ahead 

BC Legislative Schedule

The first legislative session for the newly elected BC MLAs is slated for February 2025. In the leadup and during the session, why not contact your MLA to let them know that you support strong, inclusive, well-funded, accessible public schools and want to see the pressing needs in our public education system addressed.

-Local Government Elections 

The next BC local government election, including the election of school trustees, is slated for October 17, 2026.  In the meantime,  consider attending a school board meeting, calling for vocal and determined advocacy for the public schools in your district, and thinking about running for election in 2026.

-Do School Board Elections Matter?