Dear Editor:
Re: Burnaby teachers' union throws support behind BCA, Burnaby NOW, Oct. 29.
What is Rae Figursky and a mere handful of BTA leaders trying to do? Make it easier for teachers to decide who to vote for?
That's an insult to their intelligence and a deprivation of their democratic right to make their own choice.
Isn't one of the major goals of education to produce free and autonomous thinkers? And isn't the ministry's new "transformation in the curriculum" calling for an emphasis on critical thinking skills, which involves suspended judgement and impartial investigation of facts before forming conclusions? This does not seem to be an auspicious start to this innovation, which focuses on higher order thinking abilities.
BTA's endorsement of the "entire school board slate" followed a process that cast doubt on the validity of that endorsement. It seems the decision was made before the meeting with candidates and an event was perfunctorily planned so it will look legitimate.
I say this because BTA representatives did not speak at any length to most of the Burnaby First Coalition candidates. And on matters on which they did speak, there was inaccurate reporting. Furthermore, I and others in our group supported strongly advocating for increased government funding, which Ms. Figursky claims was a key basis for her union's endorsement of the Burnaby Citizens Association.
The BTA arrived at their position at a "mix and mingle" event which lasted only one and a half hours with hardly any dialogue on issues in education. BFC trustee candidates deserved a better reception and a more accurate report of what transpired at that meeting. BFC candidates also noticed that the speaking time of two minutes for each speaker was strictly enforced for its candidates but was not for BCA candidates.
BTA representatives at the meeting seem guilty of recommending to their members a decision arrived at with premeditated bias and partiality. As leaders and representatives of our education system, I hope they will seriously reflect on their action.
BFC stands committed to addressing the needs of our public schools. It offers residents an alternative option to a one-party monopoly, which is not healthy for our democracy. It has candidates with a wide range of educational qualifications and experience. Teachers are encouraged to find out more about them before making an informed decision.
I am sure that teachers in Burnaby will see through the flawed process used, and allow their own research and conscience to lead them to a voting decision rather than be easily influenced by such a haphazard decision-making process.
Ben Seebaran, BFC trustee candidate
