Bill Tieleman’s 24 HoursVancouver / The Tyee column
Tuesday
July 15, 2014
By Bill Tieleman
Privatization
does not mean you take a public institution and give it to some nice person. It
means you take a public institution and give it to an unaccountable
tyranny." -- Noam Chomsky,
American philosopher
The
BC Liberal government can t fail when it comes to further privatizing public
education.
That
conclusion is clear as B.C. teachers face their summer of discontent on picket
lines without strike pay, mediation, negotiations or any movement on class size
and composition.
But
for the government, it's the summer of privatization love. Look at the
evidence:
Premier
Christy Clark is thrilled that long-time foe the B.C. Teachers' Federation is
staggering on the ropes in a 10-round boxing slugfest it can't win.
The
government has already saved $100
to $200 million
from the teachers' strike.
That
money can be spent on anything from promoting liquefied natural gas
internationally to self-promoting advertising.
Anything,
that is but education -- unless you mean private schools.
They
will actually be in line for even more government financial support -- because
come September, thousands of parents frustrated by frequent job action by BCTF
members will likely register their children in expensive but non-unionized
alternatives.
And
those "independent" schools already receive substantial government
funding of nearly $300 million a year and teach 12 per cent of B.C. students.
And
the BCTF calculates
funding has jumped 45.6 per cent for private schools since 2005 while public
school funding rose only 16.9 per cent.
Group
One private schools -- which include most religion-based institutions -- get 50
per cent of their operating funds from government,
while Group Two is composed of private schools charging higher tuition and
tougher admission requirement -- they get 35 per cent funding.
What's
the big selling point for those private schools besides no labour disputes?
Ironically,
it's smaller class sizes and simpler class composition -- the two big issues
BCTF members are on picket lines to improve, beyond their wages.
Public
schools have to take all students, deal with multiple challenges from special
needs kids to English as a second language students to dwindling resources all
while managing large classes.
Private
schools avoid those problems by picking and choosing who can attend, then
charging tuition.
And
with yearly fees at exclusive schools like St. George's -- where Clark's son is
a student -- running at $18,995 for
Grades 1 to 7 and $21,355 for
Grades 8 to 12, they can easily outspend public schools per student.
'Choice' for those with money
St.
George's Latin motto
is simple: sine timore aut favore -- without fear or favour -- but the same
can't be said of the BC Liberal government.
Maple
Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton is parliamentary secretary for independent
schools -- a new position first created by Christy Clark in 2012 -- and
his views on private school are rather blunt.
"I
think this position of parliamentary secretary is a reflection of the emphasis
the government places on family choice -- choice of education," Dalton said
when first appointed.
How
many other BC Liberal MLAs are sending or have sent their children to private
schools while governing the public education system? The Tyee tried to find out
with very limited success.
While
some B.C. Liberal MLAs did forthrightly
respond to a survey along with some NDP MLAs, a whopping 71 out of
85 MLAs did not -- including 43 who mention their children in online
biographies.
This premier wins if public education loses
But
ultimately the BC Liberal record on privatizing public education is about the
policies adopted, not personal MLA choices, which may be more complicated.
That
record is clear.
Make
public education less attractive, hurt your union opponent, promote and fund
private schools like your son's and save money the whole time -- that's a
perfect score for the premier.
.
18 comments:
Dear Bill
You are a wise man and I appreciate your concerns for the public in British Columbia. Please carry on exposing the sins of the liberal ship of fool that are attempting to fool the voters.Thank you.
Usual BCTF line. Private schools and Public schools have co-existed, even during the NDP's time in office.
A bit odd that the private schools are now the scapegoat for the indiscretions and greed of the BCTF.
I am very pleased to be the first commenter on this subject. The second commenter appears to be an iq ed person that is very low. In your previous message my Oak Bay GF destroyed that Anon person by stating it was a Copycat. Now I will expand that my OBGF has a daughter and her husband who are teachers in PG.In addition, I know the just retired super of school for that district. It is a small world but not if your circle of associates is large. That is the key to my success. Knowing people and in turn I know their circle of associates. I have worked the network before the internet.
Mr. Tieleman sorry for this little side bar but it is important to me and should be to your faithful readers. Please allow me to continue with my thoughts and and comments to my Dock. Basical, I told him Mrs. Lark is fighting the teachers in order to win a battle with the Docks. In discussions with my medical boss and his gate keeper, I suggested as the teachers are standing their ground the doctors must do the same. I will conclude by stating I await comments from your wonderful readers. Any negative comments will be responded to by my both my OBGF and my West Gorge Love of of Life. Thank you.
I left a message from a left outlook. Now I just reread the second comment from I assume the right as in a totally incorrect opinion. That message suggests the Teachers are greed! Well let me just mention Mrs. Lark and before that Mr. Cambull rewarded their greedy supporters will more taxpayers money that was total beyond human belief. Where is that MLA from Kelowna who retired in honour of the fearless leader Mrs. Crap.Taxpayer money to reward a total useless piece of garbage. Now, I am on a roll so let me mention BC Rail and a Bruce Lark. How about the two that pleaded guilty but only got house arrest. I will suggest one of them or both belonged in Crow Bar Hotel. Greedy Lierberal!!! Thank you for reading.
"Well let me just mention Mrs. Lark and before that Mr. Cambull rewarded their greedy supporters will more taxpayers money that was total beyond human belief."
Most interesting. Let's take a look back to a certain time, shall we?
Enter Bob Williams (who originally stepped aside in 1976 to let Fat Dave run in Vancouver East). He ended up as Cabinet Secretariat with Mike Harcourt. Enter John Laxton another NDPer (as was Marc Elisen before him), who headed BC Hydro, as did Elisen.
Next enter Bill here. Rewarded with a job by Adrian Dix.
Interestingly, taxpayers do not reward a total useless piece of garbage when the NDP was in power, do they? BC Rail and Bruce Clark the infamous backroom boy of the federal Liberals? Geez, that's going back. It's past the due date.
But agree, Virk and Basi do belong in jail.
Hello Bill as in Sir William. First of all, my very wise Gorge Road West girl as in friend has this to add to a discussion. She suggests I do not acknowledge any copy Jaguars as in cat. She is right but on the left. Is that why she is one of the loves of my life? Did I mention she like Skinny Girl wine and knows the history of that New York skinny girl. Now the subject is teachers and the wasted money Lieberals have spend and will continue to spend on a totally political act that is costing the education of so many children.All MLAs should be required to disclose what type of school their children or grandchildren attend.Would it be a conflict of interest if they voted to increase funds to private schools as it would lower their cost? In closing I am proud to be one of your many faithful followers as you a wonderful leader.
"All MLAs should be required to disclose what type of school their children or grandchildren attend.Would it be a conflict of interest if they voted to increase funds to private schools as it would lower their cost?"
That is private. Remember, many NDP MLAs did not disclose where their kids go to school. If there is such a concern, get all of the NDP MLAs do disclose.
Hello Bill and good bye to this wonderful article you wrote. I am looking forward to the next words from the wise William.
My wife and I scrimp and save to send our two kids to one of these evil private institutions: Montessori.
Because we do that, BC taxpayers get a 65% reduction in the cost of educating my kids.
Your welcome.
Hello Anon at 23/7/14 at 15:46
I do not understand your comment. Are you suggesting that public schools are providing a educational service that is not up to the standards of the public schools.If that is the case, than that is what the teachers want as in an upgrade. They want a better service for the children. The liberals want to cut and reduce public schools in order to make parents like you pay more. Should the Govt not increase school funding whereby the two of you would not have to scrimp and save.I guess it is the same old story the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Do you not think it would be beneficial if public school standards were raised whereby les children attended the private ones. In fact, in my opinion both home and private schooling should be outlawed. If they can outlaw smoking and drinking in interest of the common good, it would also be in the best interests of all children to be taught well and EQUAL.
Finally I just googled Montessori! I thank you for commenting so I could comment.
"I do not understand your comment. Are you suggesting that public schools are providing a educational service that is not up to the standards of the public schools."
There's always room for improvement in education. The level of education for instance when the NDP was in power was not 100% perfect.
"If that is the case, than that is what the teachers want as in an upgrade. They want a better service for the children."
I'm sure increased benefits and longer paternity leaves for teachers is going to benefit the kids they teach.
"The liberals want to cut and reduce public schools in order to make parents like you pay more."
No they don't. That's a typical line from the BCTF.
"Should the Govt not increase school funding whereby the two of you would not have to scrimp and save.I guess it is the same old story the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Do you not think it would be beneficial if public school standards were raised whereby les children attended the private ones."
Not nessesarily. There are many high quality public schools, it is just the effort the teachers and the school districts make to make their school's education all that much better.
"In fact, in my opinion both home and private schooling should be outlawed."
a half point credit there. I would outlaw home schooling, but would retain private schools. The private schools in order to receive government funding must teach the core curriculum the same that is taught in public schools.
"If they can outlaw smoking and drinking in interest of the common good, it would also be in the best interests of all children to be taught well and EQUAL."
Two different things.
Dear Bill
It is Friday and I know you and all your friendly readers are looking forward to Saturday's garage sales. Why would I mention this factor? Maybe I am planning to hold my own driveway sale on the long weekend. Maybe I am suggesting the teachers have group garage sales whereby they can raise money and voters to vote against the mean and greed lieberals. Finally, summer is almost half over and come September parents must stand in support of their children and that means supporting teachers. Fastbender is both fast and loose with the truth and bends the truth right out of shape.
This comment is approved by my OBGF and two PG Ts. Of most important, I need Mr. Tieleman's approval.
:Maybe I am planning to hold my own driveway sale on the long weekend. Maybe I am suggesting the teachers have group garage sales whereby they can raise money and voters to vote against the mean and greed lieberals."
So why wasn't this done in March of last year?
"Finally, summer is almost half over and come September parents must stand in support of their children and that means supporting teachers."
It also means to tell the BCTF to stop acting like idiots and say yes to what's been offered. The teachers have actually lost money
since they've gone on strike, so what's the catch up now?
"Fastbender is both fast and loose with the truth and bends the truth right out of shape."
The BCTF is also playing fast and lose too even more than Fastbender.
"This comment is approved by my OBGF and two PG Ts. Of most important, I need Mr. Tieleman's approval."
PG Ts?
This message appears to be the fourteenth in the column. Now who ever sent the thirteenth is both unluck and a total loser. I note you have a new column for us members of the great unwashed society. I will have it read to me later. Of course, I will have someone type a comment or two or maybe three as in etc. I must now go and drive my 21 foot Motor Home with a three foot extension rear bumper to the Elk Lake weigh scale. scale. My 1500 lb pickup weighs 5000 lbs. I am guessing she will check in at around 8000 lbs. What does this information have to due with the Teachers and their noble cause is the fact I will offer to park her near a protest site so as they can use the fridge and wash room. Note and note very carefully, if mr.fast and loose bender is in the area, he can deposit that BS of his in the toilet. mrs. photo op is more than welcome as well as she thinks when using a washroom she creates no smell.
Bill, I will bother you later on the new subject. Thank you.
"I must now go and drive my 21 foot Motor Home with a three foot extension rear bumper to the Elk Lake weigh scale. scale. My 1500 lb pickup weighs 5000 lbs. I am guessing she will check in at around 8000 lbs. What does this information have to due with the Teachers and their noble cause is the fact I will offer to park her near a protest site so as they can use the fridge and wash room. "
Seems a bit of braging for someone that would most likely drive a 1998 Ford Taurus with an Igoo ice box, and a folding camp toilet.
Hey Bill and your friendly readers are you laughing at the comment sandwiched between my two comments. Good thing we have a good sense of humour.
"Hey Bill and your friendly readers are you laughing at the comment sandwiched between my two comments. Good thing we have a good sense of humour."
Indeed this Nestaken Squire guy is quite comical. Can't even get a few fundamentals in regards to politics right. He's living obviously in some kind of psychosis.
Hello and good bye to this article. Yes, I guess there are no more comments. I must state that your next article deserves one more comment form this computer. But and there is always a BUTT, if I were do so such it would be the thirteenth message. Bill I know that you and all or most of your followers understand this difficult situation. I thank you.
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