The Crazy Rants of Samantha BurnsBCTF Strike?
I may not like the idea of this because I am a strong supporter of the public education system, but Counterfactual has a point that the BCTF (British Columbia Teacher's Federation) made an error in their speech on the teacher's strike.
Apparently, the union lawyer, Diane MacDonald stated, "In the past, there have been lengthy strikes and lockouts without serious consequences for students or the education system".
I'm with Counterfactual on this one; they were rather lame to say that because it makes school seem like a waste of time.
Oh, it's okay to have a strike because school isn't worth your time, kids, anyhow.
Heck, I wouldn't be the person I am today without public school or have the knowledge I have (and you can disagree all you want, but I consider myself not too dumb), but when I hear this excuse for striking, I wonder if my knowledge would have been acquired better elsewhere - like on the streets where the kids will be hanging while the strike is in place.
I hope the teachers get what they need if it's truly needed; but to the union, don't denigrate the education system by saying, in not so many words, it's a waste of time.
I must say that they seem to have good intentions for the strike. I know that it's getting pathetic with the cr*ppy books (and lack of), overfilled classroom size (including some classes where there aren't enough desks for all the students; up to 40 in a class sometimes), and poor, lousy pay for teachers who are educating and caring for the kids when the majority of parents can't do it themselves adequately or at all (BC teachers are some of the lowest paid in the country even though BC education graduates have worldwide acclaim for top quality education training).
Anyhow, I'm sure some will disagree, and that's fine, it's a losing battle arguing about education because everyone's entitled to their own opinion. Just remember, I win! HA!
nya nya nya nya nyaaaa
That's right, I'm a baby. I'm taunting you like a child. I guess that must be my education shining through right now, eh. I'm still thinking at a 5th Grade level, lol.
Comments
Hi Samantha,
I too am with the BC Teachers. I truly respect the profession of teaching and can remember many who worked hard to help me along while I was struggling to read in elementary school.
The public school teachers in this province obviously work pretty hard, they TOTALLY deserve more than they get . If they want a wage increase, they deserve one a heck of a lot more than the drinking driving premier who's running the show!
Posted by: Nira | October 5, 2005 10:55 PM
It certainly was a bad quote or a mis-speak by the BCTF representative. If we're talking walk-outs, there have been NO lengthy school walk-outs in B.C. There has been lengthy job action, which includes work-to-rule and no extra-curricular. If job action is included in the term "strike", then yes, there have been long strikes with little or no detriment to the kids.
If the job action is what was meant, then it should have been clearly stated — or the media should have trotted out the dates of the "lengthy strikes" that have happened in B.C. I would bet that they would find no lengthy walk-outs.
Posted by: Barry Stewart | October 10, 2005 10:01 PM