Provincial cash is welcome but parents have concerns
Premier Campbell wants all B.C. students to be on similar academic levels by Grade 4
The Nanaimo Daily News
October 30, 2010
By Robert Barron

Premier Gordon Campbell's commitment this week to allocate more funding and resources to early-learning initiatives are being welcomed in the Nanaimo area.

But many parents and teachers are raising concerns around how effective these programs will be in an education system perceived to be chronically underfunded, as well as expectations that all young students will perform at equal academic levels by Grade 4, even if support systems are in place to help them achieve that goal….

Elizabeth Pennell, the early learning co-ordinator for Nanaimo-Ladysmith, said the government's enthusiasm to address early childhood learning issues is appreciated, especially in a district considered to be one of the poorest in the province, but she wonders about efforts to ensure that all students are on the same academic level by Grade 4.

It's a sentiment shared by many parents at the Strong Start classroom at Georgia Avenue Elementary School on Friday.

"I would have thought that our kids were already being assessed when entering the school system to determine what their strengths and weaknesses are," said Peggy Lund, while she looked after her two young sons, Stanley and Peyton.

"All of our young people are individuals who learn differently and I hope that the government keeps this in mind with their new programs.

"The Strong Start program is great, but many of them are very underfunded so I hope Campbell will properly fund those already in place before introducing any more."

Derek DeGear, president of the Nanaimo District Teachers' Association, said it's "great" that Campbell has decided to make early education a priority, but there are bigger issues that also have to be considered.

He said the government isn't addressing increasingly larger class sizes, inappropriate class compositions and inadequate supports for poorer families.

"Kids have a hard time learning when they're hungry, regardless of what programs are in place," DeGear said.

"I see nothing in this announcement that deals with the ongoing erosion in social and educational services."….