Superintendent responds to BCTF comments, class composition report

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Education Minister Mike Bernier says he’s disappointed with the BC Teacher’s Federation interpretation of a new ministry report on class size and composition.

Union President Jim Iker says the new stats show classroom numbers are growing and the province now has 16,516 classrooms with four or more special needs students.

The BCTF also argues when you add 4,840 classrooms with English Language Learners, it’s a difficult mix for students who lose out on time with teachers.

Mr. Iker is particularly irritated this is happening at a time when he argues the government is asking school districts to find millions of dollars in savings.

However, Mr. Bernier argues the province has invested a record five billion dollars in education, and he also says decisions about individual classrooms — which are made under legislated class size caps—are also made at the local school district level.

Local Superintendent Dave Sloan echoed that, but as is the District 60 norm with argumentative positions taken by the teacher’s union, he declined to comment on this one, focusing instead on what he called optimal learning conditions for district students.

As reported earlier, the dispute is now headed to the Supreme Court of Canada, and arguments are expected to be heard in the fall of this year.