The Chilliwack Teachers’ Association (CTA) sent a questionnaire to the 15 candidates running for the Chilliwack School Board in October’s municipal election.
The CTA posed 10 questions, and the Chilliwack Progress will publish the questions and answers one at a time. See links to previous questions and answers below, and we continue today with part seven. The remaining questions and answers will be released as election day approaches on Oct. 15.
Today’s question is, ‘Do you believe public funds should be used to support private education? Why or why not?’
Answers below are presented in alphabetical order by first name. Candidates Elliott Friesen, Lewis Point and Richard Procee didn’t provide responses before the CTA deadline.
RELATED: Part 1 - Chilliwack Teachers’ Association questions school board candidates
RELATED: Part 2 - Chilliwack Teachers’ Association questions school board candidates
RELATED: Part 3 - Chilliwack Teachers’ Association questions school board candidates
RELATED: Part 4 - Chilliwack Teachers’ Association questions school board candidates
RELATED: Part 5 - Chilliwack Teachers’ Association questions school board candidates
RELATED: Part 6 - Chilliwack Teachers’ Association questions school board candidates
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Barry Neufeld:
I believe that in a free and democratic society, parents should have the opportunity to choose. Currently parents who choose private subsidize the government…not the other way around. The Provincial government only funds about half of the private school budget. If private schools were suddenly eliminated, the provincial education budget would be overwhelmed, and the education of all students would suffer. Education is already fighting a losing battle with the health ministry for a share of provincial revenue.
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Brian Van Garderen:
I have two trains of thought in this area. The first is that I think that public funds should go to supporting private schools if they are using and following the BC education curriculum and policies. I think that if public funds are going to be used in a private school then they should be held to the same policies and learning as a public school. If the school would like to add religious teachings into their school then they would have to provide the extra fund through tuition. Then they can add content and materials on top of what is required when using public funds but there needs to be oversight on these schools to make sure the funds are being used appropriately and following the policies set. One of the downsides to this is that only those who have the means to pay the tuition can attend and they can feel privileged because of this.
When I was in university in Edmonton Alberta I thought how the Edmonton public school district distributed funding was interesting. The private schools were under the public school board. They funded Christian schools, an Islamic school and even a Jewish elementary school. They were all overseen by the public school board. That style intrigues and I respect the school system for trying to provide a space for all learners but also ensuring that they follow the public education guidelines. This is something that I would have to explore more but it is something that I have thought about. This is my personal belief on funding and when it comes to schools in our local community I still believe in public schools and the quality of education given.
I also understand the desire of those who would like to have religion taught in school and the want for private schools. However, funding of public and private schools is determined by the government and not trustees.
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Carin Bondar:
Private schools receive public funds for private curricula, which does not correspond to the definition of a public education. Therefore, I believe that public funds should not support private education.
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Darrell Furgason:
Taxpayers pay taxes, which are used to fund education and schools. Private schools receive only 50% of the funding that public schools receive. Yet they produce the same outcomes as public schools…..namely student graduates. They are thereby saving the taxpayers a lot of money. In addition, the public system could not cope financially, or in terms of facilities if required to absorb all the private school students in BC
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Darren Ollinger:
Yes, public finds should be used to support private education because some conscientious parents may not want their children to be exposed to matter that is presented in the public curriculum, or to get something that the public system does not provide: either with respect to religion, military school among others including home schooling.
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David Swankey:
Public funds belong in public schools. Too often private schools extend opportunity to those already in a position of privilege, furthering inequity in our province.
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Greg Nelmes:
Public funds should not be used to fund private education. The public education system needs all the money that they receive which is inadequate due to rising inflation rates these days. Moreover, parents/guardians that choose to enrol their children in private school pay tuition fees.
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Heather Maahs:
It is actually irrelevant what I believe on this issue because it’s a provincial matter.
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Kaethe Jones:
Yes, public funds should be used to support private education because the citizens, whose children attend the private schools, are also tax payers, pay for public education, and deserve to access the money from the public purse.
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Margaret Reid:
I do not. I am a strong believer in public investment into public resources. I do not agree with tax dollars paying into inequitable institutions which all taxpayers do not have access to. I also believe strongly in the separation of church from government operations and while I respect everyone’s right to attend a religious school, I do not feel that public dollars should be used to instruct people in that religion.
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Teri Westerby:
No, I do not believe public funds should be used to support private education. Public funds are for public access. The public education system is not perfect, but it is a collective group of individuals who work hard to ensure knowledge is passed down from generation to generation. It is meant for everybody, just as the funds are meant for everybody. Private education means a different education, it means isolation from the rest of the public, and it means some form of segregation is occurring. I don’t support this with public funds. Everyone is free to do as they wish, subject to laws, however, they should not be funded with public (collective) funds.
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Willow Reichelt:
I do not support private schools, and I do not think they should get public funding. The only argument I’ve seen for funding them is that in order to receive funding, they have to follow BC curriculum; this ensures that their students are not deprived of a modern education. However, I think that this could be better achieved through legislation rather than funding.
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