B.C. Conservatives release education policy plans ahead of election day

By The Canadian Press on October 13, 2024.

B.C. Conservative Party Leader John Rustad listens to questions from media during a news conference in Surrey B.C., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

VANCOUVER – The B.C. Conservatives have unveiled their education policy plans about six days before the Oct. 19 voting day.

The plan includes reinstating provincial exams for Grade 10 and 12 students, restoring letter grades from Grade 4 to 9, and ending SOGI 123.

The provincial government website says B.C.’s SOGI program was introduced to help make schools inclusive and safe for all students and includes teaching them about sexual orientation and gender identity.

In a news release, B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad criticizes the NDP for “undermining the accountability in B.C.’s education system” and “introducing ideological programs into classrooms that distract from core learning and erode parental trust.”

The conservatives say, if elected, they also intend to restore school liaison officer programs, offer funding to parents of children with autism and offer tax credits or direct payments for parents who homeschool their children.

Their plans did not include any details of cost, but Rustad said Saturday that he will release his party’s costed election platform on Tuesday.

The NDP responded in a news release Sunday saying it is concerned Rustad’s education plans would lead to increased class sizes.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2024.