Warning of a crisis in public education as parents rally at B.C. legislature – BC [Video]

Parents frustrated with what they say is a “crisis” in British Columbia’s public education system took their message to the B.C. legislature on Monday.

The rally, organized by a group called B.C. Families for Public Education and parent advisory councils from several B.C. communities, say the public school system is chronically underfunded, with students paying the price.

“This has been a long time coming, way too long,” said Anne Whitmore, chair of the Surrey District Parent Advisory Council.

“We are calling on the government to prioritize our children. To prioritize the people who support them, to prioritize the people who teach them … and to prioritize their future, which is our future.”

Parents point to overcrowded classrooms, cuts to programs and insufficient supports for students with learning challenges or complex needs.

They highlighted the Surrey School District’s $16-million shortfall, which led to the elimination of the Grade 7 band program …