School Fees

[ClearWest]

B.C. school fee fight goes to court

With the start of the new school year just weeks away, Greater Victoria School Board trustee John Young headed to the B.C. Supreme Court on Monday to try to get school course fees banned across the province.

The veteran trustee won a similar legal fight with his own school district back in 1997.

Young says the extra charges contravene the B.C. School Act and are discriminatory — creating a two-tiered education system.

"When fees are imposed on courses, it prevents certain children from taking because they haven't got the money to do so," he told CBC News.

Young argues that the legislation is based on the principle that the education of children should be free of extra charges, "so that every child rich or poor has an equal opportunity to an education."

The Ministry of Education maintains that school boards have a right to charge for course outside the core curriculum.

Those fees can cost families more than $100 a year for each student.

The case is being heard in Victoria.

Young, a school trustee for the past 14 years, was once a high school principal.

Link

I'm wondering what they consider "core curriculum". Is only basic math and english included, or do we get free art supplies too? I'd love to hear your opinions.

[Charles Anthony]

This is what I think:

If going to school is not compulsory, students should pay the fees.

If going to school is mandated by the law, the school should pay the fees. [i will also take it a step further and say the school should pay the students even more as a wage or compensation.]

I'm wondering what they consider "core curriculum". Is only basic math and english included, or do we get free art supplies too?

Who cares?? Most of what you need to know you can get from the ElectricCompany or RomperRoom anyway. It would be cheaper to send kids home and give them free cable service.

Unlike most people, I do not subscribe to the principle that the education of children should be free of extra charges, "so that every child rich or poor has an equal opportunity to an education." expensive baby-sitting teacher-job-creation industry yadda yadda yadda at all.

[geoffrey]

I wonder if those that sued realise the decrease in the quality of education their kids will now get. Such ignorant people out there, had to ruin it for everyone.

[Drea]

Who cares?? Most of what you need to know you can get from the ElectricCompany or RomperRoom anyway.

evrything i evr neaded to lern i lernd frum teevee.

I am not opposed to paying additional school fees. I can afford it. For those who cannot afford it the fees should be covered by the school district.

This is how it works already in BC so I don't see why there is a problem.