As President of the British Columbia School Trustees Association (BCSTA), I am pleased to acknowledge the release of the new mandate letter for the Minister of Education and Child Care. This document articulates the priorities of our provincial education system and reaffirms our shared commitment to ensuring the success of every student in British Columbia.
We know that today’s students are tomorrow’s parents, workers, and leaders; we rely on them to make our communities vibrant and our economy strong. School trustees ensure that local districts deliver on this future and work collaboratively with the Ministry of Education and Child Care to support all students in BC.
The mandate letter highlights collaboration and specifically notes the importance of enhancing support for Education Assistants (EAs), a key focus of BCSTA’s advocacy efforts. It also mentions collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Child Care and the Ministry of Infrastructure to make capital investments in infrastructure that supports students, staff, and communities.
Support is a key theme in the mandate letter, which explicitly references standing with all students through enhancing resources that create safe and inclusive schools, and providing additional help for students who struggle with numeracy and literacy, all key advocacy efforts of the BCSTA.
Support reaches farther than the four walls of our schools as well. There is renewed focus on childcare, before- and after-school care, and jurisdiction of childcare services for Indigenous communities. These priorities are directly linked to the ongoing advocacy efforts of BCSTA.
Moreover, the collaborative spirit outlined in the mandate shows the importance of ongoing dialogue and partnership among the Ministry of Education, BCSTA, and locally elected and autonomous boards of education. Together, we can leverage our collective expertise and resources to address our education system’s challenges, particularly in mental health support and equitable access to educational opportunities.
I am optimistic that this new mandate will serve as a catalyst for meaningful change within our education system. By prioritizing students’ needs, we are laying the groundwork for a brighter future for all learners in British Columbia. Together, we will create an educational landscape that empowers every student to reach their full potential.
Carolyn Broady
President, British Columbia School Trustees Association
Read the full mandate letter HERE