B.C. announces more classrooms for Surrey's rapidly growing student population
With overcrowded schools a growing concern in B.C.'s second-largest city, the government promised dozens of new classrooms with hundreds of new spaces for elementary students Wednesday.
The province's minister of education and child care announced the expansion plans outside Forsyth Road Elementary, which is receiving a 14-classsoom prefabricated addition with space for 340 additional students.
"As B.C. continues to grow, we are building up the services that people need the most, and that includes our schools," Rachna Singh said at the event. "We know parents wants to send their kids to quality schools close to their homes and local transit hubs."
The government also promised a 14-classroom prefabricated addition at George Greenaway Elementary, with 350 student spaces. The City Central Learning Centre will also be converted into a new elementary school, creating 225 spaces, Singh said.
Earlier this month, the local school district reported a surge of approximately 2,000 students flooding hallways across Surrey, bringing the total student population to more than 85,000.
At the time, school board chair Laurie Larson told CTV News the city needed 20 new schools, 19 additions, and 21 site acquisitions to alleviate the problem.
In the meantime, local officials have been forced to get creative – implementing an expanded school day at six of the busiest high schools in the district.
Fleetwood Park Secondary, Grandview Heights Secondary, Kwantlen Park Secondary, Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary, Salish Secondary and Tamanawis Secondary now operate on a five-block system, with most students either attending the first four blocks of the day or the last four.
Some students are required to attend the "first two and last two blocks of the day," with a break in the middle, according to a news release from the district.
"We know the need for more student space in rapidly growing school districts like Surrey is urgent," Singh said at Wednesday's announcement.
Next month, British Columbians will go to the polls to either re-elect David Eby's B.C. NDP government or take a different course.
In February, the surging B.C. Conservatives said they intend to eliminate portables in Surrey by increasing class sizes – a plan that was met with backlash from the Surrey Teachers Association.
The B.C. Ministry of Education has consistently said the province has spent more money in Surrey than in any other district.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES Tracking Hurricane Milton: Storm becomes world's strongest of 2024
After reaching peak intensity with wind speeds of 180 m.p.h. (285 km/h) on Monday night, Milton became the strongest storm on our planet for 2024.
Hurricane Milton expected to hit Florida cities like Tampa, Orlando and Daytona Beach
Hurricane Milton is expected to leave a path of devastation across central Florida, from Tampa in the west to Daytona Beach in the east.
Meteorologist becomes emotional giving update on Hurricane Milton
A seasoned American meteorologist became emotional on air as he gave an update on a major hurricane, later suggesting the reason behind his strong reaction.
Liberals considering proroguing Parliament amid document impasse? Freeland says 'no'
The minority Liberal government is not considering proroguing Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said Tuesday, despite persisting uncertainty over who is willing to keep propping them up and procedural wrangling over a Conservative led-privilege debate.
B.C. man convicted of killing neighbour's chihuahua to protect his chickens
A British Columbia provincial court judge says a Boston Bar man who shot a teacup Chihuahua named Bear claiming it was menacing his chickens was not justified in killing the animal.
'A cause for concern': Canadian universities slip down world ranking list
An organization that ranks the best universities across the globe says its latest report shows a concerning trend that several of Canada’s institutions are slipping down its list.
Hertz tells B.C. tribunal online reservations do not 'guarantee' an available car
A man who showed up at a rental car company only to be told his online reservation would not be honoured is entitled to compensation, B.C.'s small claims tribunal has ruled.
'I hope so': Marc Garneau on whether there's room for Blue Liberals like him
Former cabinet minister Marc Garneau, who describes himself in his new book as always-a-Liberal, 'but a decidedly blue one,' says he hopes the party still has room for someone like him.
'Very' serious issue: federal transport minister on contamination in northern Alberta town
The renewed pleas of people in Fort Chipewyan, Alta. for government to take action cleaning up contamination in their community have reached the ears of federal Transport Minister Anita Anand.