Education Minister says B.C. is working to solve Surrey schools’ overcrowding

B.C.’s Education Minister says the province is aware of overcrowding in Surrey schools and is working towards solving the problem.

At a public appearance Tuesday, Minister Rachna Singh said the ministry has invested “almost $5 billion for new and expanded schools” and capital projects since their government was formed.

She says 13,000 new student spaces in Surrey alone are already open or in the process of opening.

Singh says the ministry is looking at new technology and new construction methods, such as prefabricated classrooms.

“Surrey is getting almost 1,000 new student seats this year alone,” she said.

“We will keep on working with our district partners to make sure that our students have access to quality education.”

In March, some Surrey schools were forced to stop enrolment, even for students living within the catchment, due to overpopulation.

Last month, Gary Tymoschuk, vice chairperson of the Surrey School Board, told CityNews that his district needs 10 new schools just to keep up with demand.

This school year, some schools in Surrey will also have extended days and staggered hours as a means of addressing the overcapacity in the system.

The change is meant to give students an extra period, meaning some students will start and end their days at different times.

Surrey is the largest school district in B.C., with projections estimating up to 96,000 students to be enrolled by 2033. The district is seeking $5-billion from the Ministry of Education to fund 63 major projects to address ongoing growth.

—With files from Cecilia Hua and David Nadalini.