Overcrowding in Surrey schools could leave children stuck in portables for the entirety of their scholastic lives.
“It’s a matter of fact in some burgeoning population areas in Surrey,” Surrey School Board trustee Laurae McNally said.
McNally put forward a motion asking Surrey City Council to halt future development in areas where schools are bursting at the seams.
Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner pointed the finger at the province saying a decades-old policy has left communities playing catch-up when it comes to new school construction.
“Everyone knows where the growth is going to happen,” Hepner said. “So knowing that in advance, we can plan for schools.”
In the meantime, the number of Surrey students in portables is higher than the student population of 35 out of the province’s 60 school districts.
By the time new schools are ready to open their doors, enrolment is close to capacity.
Education Minister Mike Bernier said there is no rule or policy holding the province back.
“As early as today, I’ve reached out to the school board committed to working with them to make sure we have more projects announced in the future,” he said.
Parents say more needs to be done than meeting the needs of today, asking both the province and city to work together to better plan for the future.