message from the minister of education
Rob Fleming
S
pring has finally arrived in beautiful British Columbia and our 2017/2018 school year is in full swing with an abundance of exciting capital projects underway in a large number of districts across the province.
We are continuing to make life better for students, parents, and staff, and we have made tremendous headway since July 2017 when I was sworn in as minister of education. I am committed to maintaining the fast pace of investments in B.C.’s education system as we work to restore funding in key areas. February was an important month for all of us. The Throne Speech and Budget 2018 outlined a clear path to making life more affordable for British Columbians. The government made historic investments in housing and childcare, while news of additional funding for education was also celebrated. Budget 2018 will provide an extra $409 million in Ministry of Education operating funding over three years, bringing the total to nearly $6.4 billion by 2020/21. Our capital budget is also receiving a boost of $100 million, to $1.8 billion. Over the next three years, these funds will be used to replace aging schools, add additional spaces in growing communities, and fast-track seismic upgrades. Budget 2018 also announced government’s new Playground Equipment Program, which has an annual budget of $5 million. This relieves pressure on parent advisory councils, previously forced to fundraise for upgrades at their respective schools. Full program details will be released soon. Additional classrooms for growing districts were also part of the Budget, which includes $100 million, part of a dedicated Enrolment Growth Program, meaning we can take important steps toward reducing the need for portables at schools around the province. Budget 2018 also included an investment of $50 million this fiscal year in support of the revitalization and preservation of Indigenous languages. Indigenous learning is at the forefront of our ministry as a result of the findings from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and we are proud to see the emergence and growth of a variety of programs in every corner of the province. I would like to thank all the members of the Educational Facility Managers’ Association of B.C. for your efforts as we move forward to meet our government’s goals and objectives, and for your hard work and dedication to our schools. Your efforts do not go unnoticed and we all play a role in working to make life better in B.C. n
14 Ops Talk • Spring 2018
