BURNABY - With one month to go before the end of the school year, Education Assistants (EAs) across B.C. are telling their stories in a province-wide survey.
The survey, sponsored by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, seeks information about the work done by the estimated 13,000 EAs in B.C.’s public schools. Overall survey results will be available in time for the beginning of the 2008-09 school year. A series of more detailed and specific reports based on survey data is planned for later in the year.
“These workers support students requiring special assistance. Education Assistants are at the front lines of feeling the pressure being placed on special education services and students, and on our education system in general,” says Bill Pegler, CUPE’s K-12 education sector coordinator in B.C.
“We know that literally thousands of students and families rely on our EAs and yet, their work and the valuable contribution they make to supporting students is often invisible.”
“Our goal in doing the survey is to get as much solid information about the issues these workers face – including the very serious issue of unpaid time – and to work with administrators, employers and government to address concerns and find solutions,” says Pegler.
EAs have until June 30th to participate in the survey. More information about the survey can be found at www.bceducationassistants.ca.
For more information or to arrange an interview with someone in your community, please contact John Malcolmson, Survey Administrator at 778.836.6935 or Roseanne Moran, CUPE Communications at 778.835.7537.