B.C. Conservatives' education platform includes ending SOGI 123

The Conservative Party of B.C. has unveiled its education policy plans, including reinstating provincial exams for Grade 10 and 12 students, restoring letter grades for students in grades 4-9, and ending the SOGI 123 program.

In a news release issued Sunday, B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad criticized the B.C. NDP's education policy, saying the decision to end letter grades for many students has led to "a race to the bottom" — while, in reference to SOGI 123, Rustad said schools should provide a safe environment rather than an "activist ideology that could send kids down a dangerous path."

The NDP responded in a news release Sunday saying Rustad's education plans would lead to increased class sizes.

SOGI 123, or Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, was established in schools in 2016 by the then-ruling B.C. Liberals, as part of anti-bullying policies. Rustad was a cabinet minister in that government.

SOGI 123 is not a curriculum but provides guides and resources to help teachers address discrimination and bullying, create supportive and inclusive environments for 2SLGBTQ+ students and acknowledge varying genders and sexual orientations.

Rustad has argued that B.C. classrooms are biased politically and insists changes are needed for schools to be places of learning.

"Students should be taught how to think, not what to think," said a statement from the Conservatives issued Sunday.

The Conservatives pledged to restore letter grades for students from grades 4-9 to "ensure parents and students in all grades have clarity about educational achievement."

The party said it will restore standardized provincial exams in grades 10 and 12 to better measure student and school performance.

The Conservatives say, if elected, they also intend to restore school liaison officer programs, offer funding to parents of children with autism and offer tax credits or direct payments for parents who homeschool their children.

The news release appeared to have been removed from the B.C. Conservatives' website shortly after it was issued Sunday, but the party said it was due to a "copy edit issue" and that it would be republished once fixed.

Their education plans did not include any details of cost.

Rustad said Saturday that he will release his party's costed election platform on Tuesday.

Concern over class sizes

The NDP expressed concern that Rustad's plans would lead to larger class sizes.

In February, the B.C. Conservative Party pledged to end education in portable trailers and allow districts to "increase the number of students in all K-12 classrooms with the strict condition that the school districts must maintain or increase the student-to-teacher ratio in schools." 

The NDP said it has hired over 5,700 new teachers and achieved the smallest class sizes in a decade, and is building 125 new and expanded schools. The party said it also implemented and introduced cellphone restrictions in all school districts.

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby has pledged to integrate before- and after-school care into all B.C. schools so, eventually, parents will no longer have to scramble to pick up their kids in the middle of the afternoon. 

He said before- and after-school spots would be staffed by educational assistants (EA). He said the plan was developed with the support of EAs, many of whom currently work part-time hours. 

B.C. Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau said she was "dismayed" to see Eby present a plan that would have EAs working longer without guaranteeing them better pay. She also said Eby's plan does not have a price tag. 

The B.C. Greens have said they plan to keep SOGI 123 in classrooms and increase the counsellor-to-student ratio in schools to provide better mental health support for students.

In a statement posted to the social media platform X, the B.C. Teachers' Federation said the Conservatives' education plans show "a deep misunderstanding of public schools and what students in them need."

It said SOGI 123 has been proven to reduce violence and discrimination for all students and a long-term plan is needed to address the shortage of teachers.  

"Teachers want what parents want — a robust, inspiring and engaging public education system that lifts everyone up," the statement said.

Rustad vows to build new hospital in Surrey

On Monday, the Conservatives also pledged to build a new children's hospital in Surrey at a city-owned site on 164 Street and Fraser Highway.

Rustad said in a news conference that the proposed hospital would include a neonatal intensive care unit, and would aim to address a pediatric health-care shortage in the city.

His pledge did not include a cost for the project, with Rustad acknowledging it would take some time to design and build the proposal out.

In a statement, Adrian Dix, the NDP candidate for Vancouver-Renfrew and incumbent health minister, said Rustad had neither a costed plan nor an intention to follow through with the hospital.

"We've started construction on a new hospital for Surrey and we're adding a major expansion to Surrey Memorial that includes a new maternity unit and pediatric services as well as a new acute care tower," Dix said.