National

Surrey schools face double-decker portables, program cuts, says Falcon, school board

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 26 Apr, 2023 05:21 PM

Opposition BC United Leader Kevin Falcon says the New Democrat government has failed to deliver on its promise from 2017 to eliminate portables at Surrey, B.C., schools.

Six years ago, the NDP promised to eliminate school portables in Surrey. Since then, Eby has failed to take action.

Now, BC's largest school district is looking at double-decker portables to address student overcrowding...

BC students deserve better.https://t.co/EahZMnoHmW
— Kevin Falcon (@KevinFalcon) April 26, 2023

Falcon told the Legislature Wednesday that instead of removing school portables, the numbers have doubled in six years of NDP government and some schools are now considering placing portables on top of each other, creating "double-decker portables."

He cited a letter Surrey's school board sent to Education Minister Rachna Singh this week saying population growth is exploding in the area and the government has fallen behind on building new schools.

The letter says the district is now looking to buy 30 new portables for next school year and is also preparing to move 39 other portables to manage projected enrolment growth.

Premier David Eby says the government is committed to providing safe learning environments and has opened 10,000 new spaces for students through 16 new schools or additions that are complete or underway across Surrey.

The Surrey school board letter to the education minister says meetings with Surrey New Democrat members of the legislature, including Surrey cabinet ministers Bruce Ralston, Harry Bains and Jagrup Brar, have not yielded enough funding to meet population growth levels.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Multi-vehicle collision on 176 Street in Surrey leads to road closure

Southbound lanes of 176 Street are closed from 88 Avenue to 96 Avenue. The investigation is in the early stages and it is unknown how long the road closure will remain in effect.

Multi-vehicle collision on 176 Street in Surrey leads to road closure

Women grads more likely to access CERB: StatCan

Statistics Canada compared the proportion of 2010 to 2018 graduates who received CERB based on educational and socio-demographic characteristics to the proportion of all workers who received the benefit.

Women grads more likely to access CERB: StatCan

Review of COVID shot for young kids to wrap soon

Health Canada tweeted Tuesday that it expects to reach a decision by mid-July on whether to approve Moderna's shot for children between six months and five years old. Moderna has applied for its vaccine to be given in two doses, each a quarter of its adult dose, given about four weeks apart.

Review of COVID shot for young kids to wrap soon

Richmond RCMP seek public’s help locating 33 year-old missing woman – Danielle Mahal

Mahal has been known to disappear for a few hours at a time in the past. However, concern is now growing, as it is unusual for her to be out of touch with family members for this long a time.

Richmond RCMP seek public’s help locating 33 year-old missing woman – Danielle Mahal

Heat warning issued in Yukon, wildfires flare

The weather agency issued a heat warning today for much of the territory with temperatures expected to reach 28 C with nighttime lows of 13 C. The warning applies to Whitehorse, Old Crow, Dawson and other regions throughout the central, southern and western regions of the territory.

Heat warning issued in Yukon, wildfires flare

Vancouver home sales down 35% from last June

The board's chair Daniel John says the drop in sales came because buyers have more properties to choose from, but rising interest rates and 39-year high inflation are causing them to be cautious and thus, listings are staying available for longer.