Centre for Civic Governance

School grows greener graduates; Dedicated students teachers staff at Reynolds High School lead way in environmental education

Thanks to determined staff, dedicated students and generous donors, things are getting a little greener every day at Reynolds High School.

Over the last few years, the Green Spaces Project has gone from concept to reality, with landscaping, gardening and educational activities transforming areas of the school into welcoming and sustainable micro-ecosystems.

BC School Closures: A Cure Worse Than the Disease

The number shut by BC's Liberals is 176 and climbing, but here's why the savings will likely prove a mirage.

Forty-four of B.C.'s 60 school districts have closed 176 schools since 2002, and over 50 more closures are certain or threatened over the next couple of years. But demographic projections suggest that closures are a short-term solution that will create a long-term problem.

B.C. school trustees to superintendents: We need more information

One-third of respondents in survey say lack of knowledge hampers decision-making abilities

Buy American’ trade deal threatens municipal procurement in Canada

The “Buy American” exemption deal negotiated by Canada and the USA last week may be a serious threat to local government control over procurement policy.

Until now, municipal procurement in Canada has been exempt from international trade agreements. But the deal announced February 5th extends the Government Procurement Agreement of the WTO to cover Canadian municipalities. These WTO rules stop municipalities from implementing “buy local” or “made in Canada” preferences for purchases of goods and services.

Study shows 50% rise in likelihood of England's poorest teenagers going to university since mid-90s

Findings follow report on growing inequalities.  Richest teenagers much more likely to do degree

Teenagers from the poorest homes in England are 50% more likely to go to university than they were 15 years ago, according to a study that will be welcomed by the government after other recent reports found that Britain had become a more unequal nation.

The government-commissioned Hills report, published yesterday, showed inequality is greater than it was in 1980.

Cariboo-Chilcotin trustees ready to break law about budgets

School trustees in Cariboo-Chilcotin say they will draft a budget to maintain quality education, even if it means breaking the law, according to a story in the Williams Lake Tribune.

"The board will develop a budget for the coming year that retains quality education for our students," trustee Bruce Mack is quoted as saying. "We recognize that with the current funding projections that this may mean a deficit budget."

School districts warn of teacher layoffs and school closures

The Vancouver school district issued layoff warnings Tuesday to hundreds of teachers, while Prince George trustees began a difficult discussion about the possible closure of 13 elementary, middle and secondary schools.

Around the province, school officials say they will enter 2010-11 budget deliberations with trepidation because small increases in provincial education grants are expected to be insufficient to cover the rising cost of teacher salaries, pensions, medical service premiums, BC Hydro and carbon neutrality.

Budget miscalculation puts strain on schools