Vancouver, BC
April 20th, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Recent measures to override local school board decisions, such as those contained in this spring’s legislation, do not reflect British Columbians’ view about who is doing the best job in public education.

In answer to the question “Who is doing the best job in public education?” 56% of respondents answered local school trustees and 15.8% said the provincial government.

“People in British Columbia respect the tough job school trustees do. They place their trust in local trustees by a margin of nearly 3 to 1,” said Columbia Institute Centre for Civic Governance Executive Director Charley Beresford.

While the provincial government has been focusing on standards and accountability measures in public education, British Columbians say the main problems facing the public education system in their community are lack of funding and crowded classrooms.

Concerns stemming from scarce resources add up to almost 40%, by far the biggest group of responses. In contrast, concern about curriculum and standards is about 10%, and concern about discipline is under 5%.

“When British Columbians are asked, they say the top concerns in public education are cutbacks and funding, not quality and standards. These findings support the need for better funding and the work of local school trustees, ” said Beresford.

The Columbia Institute Centre for Civic Governance poll, taken March 15th-27th, 2007 is accurate 19 times out of 20, plus or minus 4%. It was fielded March 15-27th 2007 by Strategic Communications.

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For further information contact:
Charley Beresford
Columbia Institute Centre for Civic Governance
778-772-8188