Poll finds most want more funding for public schools

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - A new poll by Angus Reid finds roughly 65 per cent of British Columbians want the provincial government to put more money back into public education. That's no surprise considering almost every school board in the province is dealing with budget shortfalls and massive layoffs.

Catherine Evans, Director the B.C. Society for Public Education, the group who commissioned the poll, says they also found two out of three British Columbians feel the government shouldn't be funding private schools. "There is a majority of private schools that receive some public funding. A grant of between 35 and 50 percent of what a public school gets on a per pupil basis."

Evans claims private schools haven't been affected by government cutbacks. She points out they are cushioned by the money parents pay to send their kids there. "They are very insulated of course by their ability to charge fees to the parents. If there they receive less than they expect from the government, they have an option. Public schools don't have an option."

Evans adds they didn't ask the question to point a finger at private schools, adding many parents choose them because they often have more support for special needs kids.

Several members of The B.C. School Trustees' Association feel private school should not receive public funding.