VANCOUVER The BC government is introducing a protection of parent volunteers law that does nothing to enhance or improve education services and could jeopardize child safety.
Parent volunteers are already a practice accepted by parents, teachers, support staff and school boards across BC and recognized in collective agreements, said CUPE BC President Barry ONeill. But it is wrong to ask parents to provide basic services.
ONeill was responding to Bill 8, the School (Protection of Parent Volunteers) Amendment Act, 2001.
CUPE BC understands and supports the right of parents to participate in their childrens education, said ONeill. We welcome the contribution parents make to our kids success.
But we do object when some school boards, a tiny minority, take advantage of parents commitment to make cuts in services or funding, said ONeill.
Our first concern is the health, safety and education of BC children. That is protected by using trained staff to provide those basic services.
CUPE BC local unions, executive and staff will be discussing the impact of this legislation over the next few weeks.
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For more information:
Barry ONeill, President CUPE BC (604) 916-8444 (cellular)