Editor,
BC Budget 2018 provides a welcome increase in post-secondary funding, as well as affordability measures that will help students, educators and their communities across the province.
The Feb. 20 NDP provincial government budget confirms the change in direction this government began last August to improve affordability and choice in our post-secondary system.
By removing some of the largest financial barriers to post-secondary education, and adding program choice to institutions in communities across British Columbia, this government is reversing the concerning trend in post-secondary where access was decreasing as it becomes more crucial for today’s economy.
The budget provides $21 million to the post-secondary system in affordability measures for learners, such as tuition waivers for former youth in care, tuition-free Adult Basic Education and English Language Learning classes.
The Province also added $30 million in new funding for additional supports for former youth in care. Industry Training Authority funding is continued at the same level: within that budget more funding will be available for under-represented groups.
The government anticipates that 78 per cent of future jobs will require post-secondary education.
Clearly, this government recognizes the key role that post-secondary education plays in our society and economy, and the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators (FPSE) welcomes the actions taken to address this crucial affordability issue.
After 16 years of uneven funding that downloaded an unsustainable burden on to students and their families, more changes are needed to ensure students of every age and income are able to return to school or attend post-secondary for the first time, and receive the support they need to succeed.
The FPSE is committed to working with the government to find every opportunity to make post-secondary more affordable and comprehensive.
FPSE also applauds new spending aimed at addressing affordability issues experienced by members across B.C., through $1 billion in child care and early learning over three years (including increasing the number of spaces to train early childhood educators); $6.5 billion in homes and housing supports over 10 years; and the elimination of MSP fees effective Jan. 1, 2020.
The FPSE of B.C. is the provincial voice for 10,000 faculty and staff in teaching universities, colleges, and institutes across the province.
George Davison
FPSE president