Richmond’s BC Liberals came out in full force to an education debate at Richmond secondary school last Thursday, whereas one BC Green and two BC NDP candidates failed to show up.
To explain why public education is important to him, rookie provincial candidate and Liberal for Richmond Queensborough, Jas Johal, cited his experience as an international field reporter.
“I value public education systems because I’ve seen education systems that have broken down. I remember travelling to Afghanistan one time . . . The education system was broken down, kids were not getting enough food, diet, the attention span wasn’t there . . . You realize the foundational nature of a strong solid public education system,” explained Johal.
With NDP candidates Chak Au and Lyren Chiu absent, their colleagues Kelly Greene (Richmond-Steveston) and Aman Singh (Richmond Queensborough) were left to tackle — along with respective Green counterparts, Roy Sakata and Michael Wolfe — the BC Liberals’ controversial 16-year record on public education.
In Richmond, funding is a major issue and a common complaint among teachers, students and parents include sharing outdated textbooks, overcrowded classrooms and the need for parents to fund the likes of sports equipment and playgrounds.
Greene countered Johal’s points that the government has made record levels of investments in education.
“Although we keep hearing about record levels of investment, those investments aren’t keeping pace with the costs of education,” said Greene, who co-founded Richmond Schools Stand United last year to protest school closures across the city.
On parent (PAC) fundraising, Liberal Teresa Wat (Richmond South Centre) said gaming grants are there to ensure schools are funded. She said she will work with parents on an individual basis to share fundraising ideas.
“My door is open,” said Wat.
Greene said the NDP would commit $30 million to pay for classroom supplies and playgrounds that are now commonly covered by PACs.
Candidates were asked how they would seismically upgrade half of the district’s schools.
No party could provide a definitive timeline.
Liberal John Yap, of Richmond-Steveston, said since 2001 the government has invested $92 million in Richmond capital projects.
“Moving forward we’re committed to seismically upgrading and rebuilding schools . . . and have committed a joint project office working together with the school district to expedite the process.”
“My God it took 16 years to set up a project office? There should be measurable targets” replied Sakata.
Greene replied that she doubted the Liberals would commit to their promises considering the last promise to upgrade Gilmore elementary turned into a plan to demolish and close it.
Greene noted it will be a “monumental” task to upgrade all 24 schools in an expedient way.
The school district has stated only about five schools can be rebuilt at one time.
