There are growing concerns about learning conditions in B.C. schools.
Critics say cutbacks are making it harder for teachers to do their jobs, trying to do more with less and meet the needs of an increasingly complex classroom.
According to a report released today by the BC Teachers’ Federation, about a quarter of all B.C. classrooms have at least four special needs students in them.
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That represents more than 16000 classrooms. The number jumped from 9500 in 2006.
The BCTF says the province has chipped away at supports for special needs students over the past decade, cutting more than a thousand full-time special education, ESL and counselling positions.
The province created a learning improvement fund to address some of the challenges, and reduce class sizes, but B.C.’s education minister says today’s report won’t prompt more funding.
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