Premier John Horgan says the NDP government is rejecting what he calls the "one-size-fits-all" funding formula for school districts that was brought in by the previous Liberal government.
Horgan told the B.C. Teachers Federation's annual general meeting that his government wants to replace that system with one that accounts for differences in urban and rural communities.
So great to hear a #bcpoli Premier pledge support for #LGBTQ kids and programs like #SOGI123. Way to go @jjhorgan! That’s the #bcpoli government many of us have waited a long time for! #bctf2018 pic.twitter.com/IQjhCsuam2
— Rich Overgaard (@RichTweets) March 20, 2018
School districts currently get funding based on the number of students, but the union is calling for a needs-based formula that would prevent cuts to programs and staffing levels when enrolment decreases.
Horgan says the government plans to put more money into public education up to 2021, but had nothing to say about bargaining with the teachers, who begin contract talks in about 10 months.