Some parents unhappy with how they were represented during strike
Posted October 16, 2014 11:24 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – One group of parents is unhappy with how their views were represented during the teachers’ strike.
The criticism has been levelled against the BC Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils.
Back in August, the confederation issued a press release, suggesting the province create a Classroom Resources Fund, as a way to end the stalemate.
But the Vancouver District Parent Advisory Council says the confederation’s attempt to insert itself in bargaining was out of line.
“We didn’t feel it was appropriate to bring that up during the strike. We wanted our kids back in school. We wanted everything resolved. We wanted the provincial government to adequately fund classroom size and composition,” says Claudia Ferris with the Vancouver DPAC.
“I think some of the parent leadership was unclear about how collective bargaining works,” she adds.
She says BCCPAC has been made aware of how they feel, and PACs have been reassured there will be more consultation when it speaks on behalf of parents.
Ferris says ideally PACs should be questioning why so much fundraising is needed, and demanding more government money be used to build playgrounds and acquire classroom items.
