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PRESS RELEASE May 10th 2001 THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOICE IN EDUCATION North Vancouver - Reform BC’s Ron Gamble is addressed the British Columbia Teachers Federation (BCTF) in a meeting at Carson Graham secondary school tonight. Rather than repeat the tired rhetoric of simple protection and status quo of the other political parties, Reform BC is offering real solutions and real choice. Reform BC supports greater choice in education through the introduction of a voluntary voucher system and support for alternative schools within the public school system. This would give parents the option of providing the best schooling possible for their children, whether public or private. Such reforms are needed in our school system, in our view, to provide parents with "back to basics" schooling options for their children that stress excellence in education, traditional values and proven teaching methods. We believe that this could be greatly advanced through a more competitive education system that encourages better performance from students and teachers alike. Choice in education is not only for students and parents but for teachers too. By allowing a workable voucher program that balances between public and private institutions teachers will have greater opportunities. As pressure increases on governments to reduce spending and borrowing, governments are turning more to the private sector for capital investment through "public-private" partnerships. Exciting opportunities exist for private sector participation in public infrastructure—roads, bridges, hydro-electric projects, sewage treatment facilities and hospitals and especially our schools. -30- For More Information contact: |