Name: Suresh Bhayana
Website: www.burnabycitizens.ca
QUESTIONS (in 50 words or less unless specified)
Tell us about yourself. (100 words)
I came to Canada from India in 1975, and made my home here in Burnaby. I graduated as an Engineer from the Punjab University in 1974. My three children graduated from Burnaby's public schools. I value our accessible and universal school system. I will work closely with staff and their organizations, including CUPE and the Burnaby Teachers’ Association, to support the outstanding educational results our staff currently deliver to students. I'm the Chair of the Advisory Board of the Universal Cultural Society. I sat for five years on Burnaby Library Board and six years on Social Issues Committees.
What are the top 3 issues facing the Burnaby school board?
1. The teacher shortage. Burnaby needs more French teachers and education assistants.
2. Many of our school buildings are old and need replacement. Burnaby students deserve safe, healthy and modern classrooms.
3. Adequate funding. Burnaby has stretched available dollars to provide services, but with increased funding we could do more.
What has the current school board done right?
Working to stop bullying and make our schools safe for all students. Burnaby is a leader on inclusion and diversity. Setting up its own program to train needed education assistants.
What have they done wrong?
Burnaby needs more environmental education opportunities. We could develop partnerships with our city's post-secondary institutions to improve them.
What is your favourite thing about Burnaby public schools:
Burnaby’s sports academies give opportunities to excel, and local school programs promote health and team work. Our partnerships with SFU deliver online courses, and with BCIT provide health services education. We have strong science programming, it made a real difference for my children to opportunities in the sciences.
What 3 people would you invite to a dinner party?
1. Burnaby MLA Katina Chen
2. Burnaby School Board Chair, Gary Wong
3. Burnaby City Councillor, Sav Dhaliwal
Editor's note: Candidates were given specific word count guidelines and were cut off if they went over the count.
