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APRIL2010BN13EDUCATION- from page 3to Victoria’s, etc., and then thedisparity is even greater.”In <strong>Surrey</strong> City Centre, a majorimpetus behind its residential andcommercial upswing has been thecreation <strong>of</strong> a new campus for SFU<strong>Surrey</strong>. The addition <strong>of</strong> 2,500Full-Time Equivalent studentspaces and over 30 new undergraduateand graduate degreeoptions has been a capacity boostin the South Fraser. However,despite being at full capacity forover two years, no progress hasbeen made on a 2006 memorandum<strong>of</strong> understanding to expandto 5,000 Full-Time Equivalentspaces by 2015.Joanne Curry, ExecutiveDirector <strong>of</strong> SFU <strong>Surrey</strong>, commentsthat “We fully understandthat the recent economic recessionhas had a devastating impacton provincial finances, but weare ready to continue plans andpartnerships to contribute to awell-trained workforce in strategicsectors, such as clean energy andhealth. As the South Fraser’sonly research university, we alsowill expand our research anddevelopment capacity to bearon social issues and economicopportunities. Investment inuniversities, is an investment inthe future <strong>of</strong> not only <strong>Surrey</strong> butthe Province <strong>of</strong> BC. As a point <strong>of</strong>reference, right now, <strong>Surrey</strong> hasone-half the number <strong>of</strong> residentswith university degrees comparedto Vancouver.”From the government’s perspective,Liberal MLA for <strong>Surrey</strong>-Tynehead, Dave Hayer said, “Thisgovernment is committed to<strong>Surrey</strong> students. Per pupil fundingis anticipated to be $7,780 perstudent next year – a 36% increaseover 2001 levels, while <strong>Surrey</strong>’senrolment has only increased by8,900 (or 15%) students duringthat time. Total funding for thedistrict is expected to be $14.5Mhigher than this year’s funding.We still face global economic challengesand declining revenues butour government has made educationa priority. With the anotherincrease in education fundingrecently announced in Budget2010, the <strong>Surrey</strong> School Districtis estimated to receive more thanhalf a billion dollars in operatingfunding in 2010/11, a 56%increase since 2000/01.”Hayer went on to say that thegovernment has made educationa priority and has demonstratedtheir commitment. “School districtswill be receiving a record$4.6 billion next year in theiroperating grants; teachers willreceive their salary increases, acommitment <strong>of</strong> $54 million; aninvestment <strong>of</strong> $110 million forthe annual facility grants; and, inthe 2010 Budget, we announcedfull-day kindergarten startingfor half <strong>of</strong> our students next fall— another $58 million going toschool boards. I have personallymet with <strong>Surrey</strong> school teachers,trustees and principals to heartheir concerns and our governmentwill work with them toensure we make the right decisionsmoving forward for all ourstudents,” Hayer added.Minister <strong>of</strong> Education,Margaret MacDiarmid agreedwith her colleague’s comments.“He (Hayer) made it very clearthat the investment is being madein <strong>Surrey</strong> as they have the populationincreases - and funding hasincreased. Programs like full-dayKindergarten are being viewedvery positively.”“The challenge for everyone isthe severe recession and the $1.7Billion deficit in BC. We have managedthis number and we are notSimon Fraser Universitywilling to grow it (as some otherprovinces have chosen to do) or itwill become a structural deficit. Inone to two years our deficit will begone. At the same time we are providingnew funding for education,”MacDiarmid added.So the question becomes – willwe be prepared for the growth inour local economy in the not-toodistantfuture? Why the worryabout educational funding? Itaffects the students which in turnaffects the local economy for yearsto come.“One immediate impact thatcomes to mind is the area’s economicbenefits <strong>of</strong> the construction<strong>of</strong> desperately needed schoolsand school additions that we havebeen struggling to get fundingfor,” said McNally. “The SchoolDistrict is the largest employer in<strong>Surrey</strong>. If we are forced to makecuts to programs and services,jobs are lost for people in ourcommunity, with the resultingnegative economic spin<strong>of</strong>fs.And most important <strong>of</strong> all, somestudents will not get the supportthey need. Employers here needa workforce that is literate...literatemeaning employees have theessential living and work skillsnecessary to contribute to theirCommunity.”“At the post-secondary level,education is harder to get: tuitiongoes up, choices go down, waitlistsget longer, class sizes getlarger, people have to go out <strong>of</strong>the region to get the educationthey want (which costs and pollutesmore), and there’s no abilityto develop new courses andprograms thatmight be needed,”explained Dean.“There are severalsignificant and negative impacts[to the economy]. The most obviousis the income levels <strong>of</strong> peoplein the region. If people aren’t ableto get higher levels <strong>of</strong> education,they’ll have less money to spend,which holds back the incomefor the area’s businesses, and canimpact the attractiveness <strong>of</strong> <strong>Surrey</strong>for businesses looking to locatehere. There is also an impact onhealth costs, crime levels and theresulting costs, homelessness andits costs, lower levels <strong>of</strong> people’skids education because the parentsaren’t as well educated. Theseeffects are all large.“The <strong>Surrey</strong> <strong>Board</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Trade</strong>,the foremost business associationin the city, views the shortfallswith serious concern. “I thinkwe need to provide funding for<strong>Surrey</strong> School District’s earlychildhood and immigrant studentprograms at the same rate atwhich it funds those same programsin Vancouver,” said AnitaHuberman, CEO. “We know thatthe majority <strong>of</strong> new immigrantsto BC choose <strong>Surrey</strong> as the placeto live. Approximately 40% <strong>of</strong><strong>Surrey</strong>’s population is <strong>of</strong> immigrantorigin. Better funding willhelp adequately and proactivelyaddress what will be ‘Tomorrow’sWorkplace’. That is, with the babyboomer generation exiting theworkforce, it is a fact that currentCanadian population levels willnot be enough to serve existingbusinesses. For our businessesKwantlen Polytechnic Universityto survive not only locally but inour new global reality, focusedresources towards our immigrantpopulation needs to happen.”“When funding slips foreducation, our youth don’t getthe programs and services theyneed to build their future,” addedHuberman. “That includes sports,teaching support, classrooms,career support, arts etc. – that willallow them to be the well-roundedsuccessful individuals they needto be as contributing members toour economic development equation.Employers need employeeswho have essential skills – math,reading, writing – and I meanmore than just basic math or readingcomprehension levels.”The government is spendingon education as Hayer explained,but if it does not address boththe systemic and operationalshortfalls in <strong>Surrey</strong>, the problemwill not resolve and there will bea significant impact on the localeconomy over time.“What can be done? Hold <strong>of</strong>fon increasing UBC’s budget fora few years, and put that moneyinto Kwantlen (that’s what thestate <strong>of</strong> California did when theyestablished their community collegesystem - they froze budgetsat UC Berkeley etc for about 8years),” explained Dean. “Whathas been done? Nothing, so faras I know. Our funding has keptup with our region’s populationgrowth, but it hasn’t increased tocontnext pageAAA AUCTION LTD.WE BUY:Estates - Households, large and smallCASH PAID FOR:Furniture, China, Appliances, Collectibles, etc.5710 - 175th Street, Cloverdale, BC604-501-1531www.aaaauctionbc.comEmail: info@aaaauctionbc.com0410BIS0410BISGlobal MortgageApproval is easier than you think. Desiree NyoMORTGAGE CONSULTANTCall Now604.786.9326desiree@globalmortgagecorp.comdesiree.nyo@gmail.com0410BISFREE EMPLOYMENT SERVICESUnemployed or working under 20 hours a week? 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