A Response to Premier Harcourt’s Message to the
Province of January 21, 1993

 

From: Myrna Popove, Chair of the In my position as chair of the Douglas Col- nological change. Restructuring of the 2S
Douglas College Board and President lege Board, I have personally witnessed Canadian economy has begun, and will
of the Advanced Education Council of the effects of continued under-funding for probably increase. Many of the blue-collar
British Columbia post-secondary education. I’ve seen stu- manufacturing jobs and white-collar mid-

cee dents lining up for hours to be turned dle management positions that were the
As President of an oes area phe ia away. I’ve talked to students who are base of the Canadian economy are vanish-
sents the colleges, institutes and ae taking courses they don’t want just to get ing, never to return. People need
of British Columbia, I am disap pointed a foot into a door that’s swinging shut. education and training of all kinds if we
with the Premier's recent public address. are to adapt to that reality. British Colum-
His announcement that funding would be bians with training could be leaders in

the economic restructuring. Without train-

made available to continue development
ing, we won't lead; we'll be left behind.

of the University of Northern B.C. and the
new Kwantlen College campus in Langley

British Columbians with training

could be leaders in the economic
The scenes I mentioned earlier at our col-

was goed Hews. Tne Mba gre ni restructuring. Without training, leges are becoming all too familiar. I fear
crease in funding will bring the total of we won't lead; we'll be that we will become used to seeing them
student spaces to Le7a7 Shak repie- left behind. that one day soon we will stop being

sents an increase of 2,800 spaces in

os shocked and saddened by the vanished
colleges, institutes and universities. Last

hope, broken dreams and loss of human

 

September over 12,000 people were Demand for college and university cour- potential that are the result of continued
turned away from colleges and institutes ses is increasing, but funding has not kept under-funding,
in B.C. unable to get any courses. pace. Premier Mike Harcourt’s message to

. i ce the province last night contained few The Premier said that the education
Big questions remain. Will the govern- . oe ; Spskois “ale taviae Boaiutloneinnd

+ peopette fond (ie elnicalenil meaningful initiatives to change what is y P é

ment propery heccinian 4 canuhe cris priorities. With chronic under-funding, col
vocational programs so badly needed in 848 i ee

‘ at leges have been doing just that for years.
this province? Advanced Education Mini- The provincial government doesn’t seem As he suggested in his speech, we have
ster Dr, Tom Perry has acknowledged this prepared to accept that the people of been stretching dollars every way pos-
need and we appreciate his support. British Columbia want more education, sible to meet the needs of today and the
Premier Harcourt said that our future but ae gett Be ee a future. But we must improve access to
depends on giving our children a first- oe Bees post-secondary education for the people
rate education. But once the children Columbians to be educated. of British Columbia; we must invest more
have finished grade 12, thousands are Premier Harcourt said that we have to - re te =e eae ocaional a
denied an education. There is nowhere invest in people. If education is not an in- echnic ean must be increase :
for them to continue their education. If vestment in people, then what is? We see There must be increased course offerings
the Premier’s child wanted to get into a the development of an increasingly global for university transfer at comune TAY
technical program he or she would be economy characterized by rapid tech- cates,

A few of Mr. Harcourt’s announcements
represent a small step forward. But the

told to get on to a waiting list.

 

: : real problem hasn’t been addressed: post-

INside INformation P ee
secondary education in this province is

INside Douglas College is published Public Information Office, (604) 527- severely underfunded.
the first Tuesday of every month by 5325, FAX: (604) 527-5095, Room
the Public Information Office. 4840 at the New Westminster cam- Premier Harcourt spoke last night of the

eee pus, 700 Royal Avenue, New : ‘
Submissions are due Tuesday noon Westminster, B.C. V3L 5B2 importance of education for a future of

two weeks prior to publication. Sub-
missions on floppy disk in
WordPerfect or ASCII format would
be appreciated. Material may be
edited for brevity and clarity.

Tips, scoops and suggestions are
always welcome. Please contact the

progress and prosperity for everyone. But
unless we take real steps to change the
direction of post-secondary education in
this province, British Columbia’s future
progress and prosperity are in jeopardy.
A