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B.C. Home » For the Record » K-12 »

THE FACTS ON DECLINING ENROLMENT IN B.C. SCHOOLS

VICTORIA – Here are the facts on student demographics in British Columbia:

Here are the facts on student demographics in British Columbia:

• As a result of declining enrolment, Boards of Education began closing schools in the mid-1990s. Declining enrolment continues today and is anticipated to continue until 2014-15.
• Since 2000-01, student enrolment has declined by nearly 53,000 students. Districts are reporting that they expect that number to be nearly 60,000 fewer students by 2009-10 – a decline of nearly 10 per cent.
• The government has committed more than $83 million to maximize community use in underutilized school space through Neighbourhoods of Learning, School Community Connections program and StrongStart BC early learning centres.
• The Province continues to renovate, replace, and build schools where there is need.
• For example, 33 capital and seismic projects worth more than $177 million have been completed in the Surrey school district, where student enrolment will have increased by an estimated 6595 students between 2000-01 and 2009-10.
• Since 2001, the Province has spent over $1.4 billion to complete 75 new and replacement schools, 147 additions, 25 renovation projects and 20 site acquisitions across British Columbia.
• By the end of 2008-09 government will have committed more than $3.1 billion in school capital and maintenance projects across B.C.
• Government is also investing $1.5 billion to upgrade schools to make them earthquake safe; the most comprehensive seismic plan ever undertaken by a B.C. government.
• Since 2000-01, the Province has also increased funding to B.C. public schools by nearly $1.3 billion: $873 million in operating grants and $407 million in one-time grants − a 35 per cent increase.

Letters to the Editor

June 26, 2009
Letter to the Editor
EDUCATIONAL FUNDING FROM BCTF PRESIDENT IRENE LANZINGER
By Margaret MacDiarmid
Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Early Learning
Submitted: Richmond News
Status: Not published
I would like to respond to a letter written by the president of the B.C. Teachers' Federation in your newspaper on June 26 regarding education funding in B.C. [Read More]

June 24, 2009
Letter to the Editor
MORE MONEY FOR FEWER STUDENTS
By Margaret MacDiarmid
Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Early Learning
Submitted: The Kamloops Daily News
Status: Published June 25, 2009
I would like to respond to an editorial in The Daily News on June 24, 2009. We recognize these are challenging times for every level of government, including school districts. We need to find ways to make the additional dollars we are providing work for students in the classroom. [Read More]

April 6, 2009
Letter to the Editor
DESPITE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN EDUCATION FUNDING PROTECTED
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Comox Valley Record
Status: N/A
I would like to respond to a letter written by Steve Stanley, President of the Comox District Teachers' Association, which appeared recently in your newspaper regarding education funding in B.C. This government's priority is to protect education and that commitment is demonstrated in the 2009-10 budget. In fact, we have the highest education budget in the history of the province. It has grown from $4.1 billion in 2000-01 to $5.178 billion for 2009-10, an increase of 27 per cent. [Read More]

March 18, 2009
Letter to the Editor
THE REST OF THE CLASS SIZE STORY
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: The Nanaimo Daily News
Status: Published March 19, 2009
I would like to respond to a recent article concerning class size and composition.
In British Columbia class sizes continue to be smaller today than three years ago when Bill 33, the class size legislation, was created. [Read More]

March 18, 2009
Letter to the Editor
SD 73 FUNDING PROTECTED DESPITE FEWER STUDENTS
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: The Daily News
Status: Published March 23, 2009
I would like to clarify some misconceptions that may have arisen from a recent article in your newspaper about operating funding for the Kamloops-Thompson School District. [Read More]

March 9, 2009
Letter to the Editor
RECORD FUNDING DESPITE ENROLMENT DECLINES
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: The Vancouver Sun
Status: N/A
I would like to respond to a letter that appeared recently in your newspaper from Vancouver Board of Education Chair Patti Bacchus regarding the record funding the British Columbia government is spending on education. [Read More]

February 27, 2009
Letter to the Editor
BUDGET 2009 PROTECTS EDUCATION
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Kelowna Capital News
Status: N/A
I would like to respond to an article that appeared recently in your newspaper regarding the Province's latest budget.
Budget 2009 supports infrastructure projects to create thousands of jobs and build opportunities in every region of the province while providing stability and confidence for British Columbians by investing in health, education and social services. [Read More]

February 17, 2009
Letter to the Editor
EXCESS SCHOOL SPACE IN PERSPECTIVE
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Times Colonist
Status: N/A
I would like to respond to a letter written by the first vice president of the Greater Victoria Teachers' Association that appeared recently in your newspaper regarding the sale of public schools. [Read More]

December 17, 2008
Letter to the Editor
NANAIMO-LADYSMITH FUNDING EXPLAINED
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: The Nanaimo Daily News
Status: Published December 18th, 2008
I'd like to clarify some misconceptions that may have arisen as a result of two recent articles dealing with education funding that appeared in your newspaper. [Read More]

December 15, 2008
Letter to the Editor
PRINCE GEORGE FUNDING PUT IN CONTEXT
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Prince George Citizen
Status: N/A
I would like to set the record straight in response to an article in the Prince George Citizen Thursday. [Read More]

November 13, 2008
Letter to the Editor
NEW PROGRAMS ENHANCE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Kamloops Daily News
Status:N/A
I would like to respond to a letter written by the president of the Kamloops Thompson Teachers’ Association that appeared recently in your newspaper. [Read More]

November 13, 2008
Letter to the Editor
FUNDING INCREASES, VALUE OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT REINFORCED
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Georgia Straight
Status: N/A
I'd like to correct some inaccuracies contained in an education article that ran in the Georgia Straight. [Read More]

November 5, 2008
Letter to the Editor
PRINCE GEORGE FUNDING CLARIFIED
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Prince George Citizen
Status: N/A
I'd like to set the record straight regarding an article that touched upon education funding in the Prince George Citizen. [Read More]

October 30, 2008
Letter to the Editor
COMMITMENT TO FIRST NATIONS STUDENTS REINFORCED
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: The Vancouver Sun
Status: N/A
The Government of British Columbia is committed to working with school districts and Aboriginal communities to help improve Aboriginal student achievement. While Aboriginal students have made gains in many areas of K-12 education, including graduation rates, there is still more work to do. [Read More]

October 28, 2008
Letter to the Editor
NANAIMO-LADYSMITH FUNDING CLARIFIED
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Nanaimo Daily News
Status: Published October 29th, 2008
I'd like to clarify some misconceptions that may have arisen as a result of two recent articles dealing with education funding that appeared in your newspaper. [Read More]

October 21, 2008
Letter to the Editor
VALUE OF LIBRARIES AND LIBRARY MONTH REINFORCED
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: The Vancouver Sun
Status: N/A
I'd like to respond to a recent letter that appeared in your newspaper regarding Library Month. [Read More]

October 17, 2008
Letter to the Editor
TEACHERS' UNION CLAIMS ABOUT CLASS SIZE REFUTED
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Nanaimo Daily News
Status: Published October 20, 2008
I'd like to clarify some misconceptions that may have been caused by a recent article on public school class size and composition that appeared in your newspaper. . [Read More]

October 15, 2008
Letter to the Editor
CENTRAL OKANAGAN FUNDING REGARDING CARBON TAX COSTS, SPECIAL NEEDS CLARIFIED
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Kelowna Daily Courier
Status: N/A
I'd like to clarify some misconceptions that may have arisen as a result of an article on Provincial government funding to the Central Okanagan school district that appeared recently in your newspaper. [Read More]

October 10, 2008
Letter to the Editor
TEACHERS' UNION ASSERTION REGARDING CLASS SIZES REFUTED
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Times Colonist
Status: N/A
I would like to respond to a letter written by a member of the Greater Victoria Teachers' Association that appeared recently in your newspaper. [Read More]

September 26, 2008
Letter to the Editor
CAPO LAZO MIDDLE SCHOOL SITUATION CLARIFIED
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: The Vancouver Sun
Status: N/A
I'd like to set the record straight regarding an article that appeared recently in your newspaper on Cape Lazo Middle school. [Read More]

September 24, 2008
Letter to the Editor
CHOICE OF SCHOOL FOR PILOT PROJECT EXPLAINED
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Kelowna Daily Courier
Status: N/A
I'd like to correct some factual errors which appeared in a column by Paul Willcocks that ran recently in your newspaper regarding our government's new Neighbourhoods of Learning pilots. [Read More]

September 22, 2008
Letter to the Editor
PROPOSED REPLACEMENT OF NANAIMO SCHOOL CLARIFIED
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: The Nanaimo Daily News
Status: Published September 24, 2008
I'd like to respond to an editorial that appeared recently in the Daily News regarding school closures and the proposed replacement of Woodlands Secondary school. [Read More]

September 19, 2008
Letter to the Editor
OKANAGAN SKAHA FUNDING PUT IN PERSPECTIVE
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Summerland Review
Status: Published September 24, 2008
I am writing in response to a letter that appeared in your publication recently from the president of the Okanagan Skaha Teachers' Union. [Read More]

September 17, 2008
Letter to the Editor
SPECIAL ACADEMY REGULATION, FEES CLARIFIED
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Kamloops This Week
Status: N/A
I'd like to clear up a misconception that may have arisen as a result of an article on school fees that appeared recently in your newspaper. [Read More]

September 17, 2008
Letter to the Editor
TRANSPORTATION FUNDING AND RESPONSIBILITIES CLARIFIED
By Shirley Bond,
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: The Kamloops Daily News
Status: N/A
I would like to clarify some comments made by the superintendent of the Central Okanagan school district in your newspaper with regard to transportation funding. [Read More]

September 15, 2008
Letter to the Editor
CENTRAL OKANAGAN FUNDING PUT IN PERSPECTIVE
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: The Kamloops Daily News
Status: N/A
I would like to clarify some comments made by the superintendent of the Central Okanagan school district in your newspaper with regard to transportation funding. [Read More]

September 10, 2008
Letter to the Editor
RESPONSIBILITY FOR SCHOOL CLOSURES IDENTIFIED, ISSUE CLARIFIED
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Nanaimo Daily News
Status: N/A
I'd like to take this opportunity to clarify some misconceptions that may have been created by an editorial on education that appeared recently in your newspaper. [Read More]

September 10, 2008
Letter to the Editor
FEES CHARGED TO STUDENTS CLARIFIED
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Kamloops Daily News
Status: Published September 16, 2008
I'd like to set the record straight regarding an article on school fees that appeared recently in your newspaper. [Read More]

September 5, 2008
Letter to the Editor
FUNDING, CLASS SIZE AND LITERACY PROGRAMS CLARIFIED
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Invermere Valley Echo
Status: N/A
I'd like to take this opportunity to set the record straight regarding a letter by the Opposition education critic that appeared recently in your publication. [Read More]

September 4, 2008
Letter to the Editor
NANAIMO FUNDING RISES AS ENROLMENT DECLINES
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: The Nanaimo Daily News
Status: Published September 12, 2008
I would like to correct some inaccurate statements contained in a letter to the editor that appeared recently in the Daily News. [Read More]

August 28, 2008
Letter to the Editor
STUDENTS ASSURED OF COMPLETE EDUATION, FREE OF CHARGE (KAMLOOPS)
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Kamloops Daily News
Status: Published September 4, 2008
I'd like to take this opportunity to clarify some misconceptions that may have been created by a recent letter to the editor that appeared in your newspaper from Greater Victoria school district trustee John Young. [Read More]

August 28, 2008
Letter to the Editor
CENTRAL OKANAGAN SCHOOL FUNDING HIKE DESPITE DROPPING ENROLMENT
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Kelowna Daily Courier
Status: Published September 2, 2008
I'd like to clarify comments made in a recent Daily Courier article regarding funding in the Central Okanagan school district. [Read More]

August 28, 2008
Letter to the Editor
SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST ADOPT LONG RANGE VIEW WHEN CONSIDERING SCHOOL CLOSURES
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: The Nanaimo Daily News
Status: Published September 3, 2008
I'd like to respond to a recent article that appeared in the Daily News regarding school closures. [Read More]

Opinion Editorials

September 3, 2008
Opinion Editorial
MAKING EDUCATION A PRIORITY & FOLLOWING THROUGH
By Shirley Bond
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier
Submitted: Vancouver Sun
Status: Published September 9, 2008
Education is a fundamental priority for the Government of British Columbia. A simple review of the facts will demonstrate that our government has made it a priority since we were first elected in 2001. [Read More]