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SUPPORT FOR SPORT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

There has been some public discussion recently regarding government funding decisions for sport in B.C. Here are the facts:

* While governments across North America are facing tough choices around funding programs, in B.C., we are focussing our resources for sports on non-administrative sports programming. The Province has protected more than 70 per cent of 2008/09 funding for sport and physical activity programs, for a total of nearly $40 million in new funding for sport this year and nearly $30 million in multi-year funding.

* Funding to support sport in B.C. in 2009-10 includes:

­* $11 million from the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport that goes to sport organizations around the province to support participation and high-performance athletics. These funds flow to 2010 LegaciesNow, Sport BC, the Canadian Sport Centre Pacific, the BC Games Society and more than 50 Provincial Sport Organizations, which represent 700,000 British Columbians.

*$8 million of additional funding from 2010 LegaciesNow to support participation and high-performance sport through BC Integrated Performance System.

* $19 million to support more than 800 sports organizations from gaming (Direct Access and bingo funding).

Government has also provided nearly $30 million in multi-year funding that continues to support organizations funding youth sport in B.C. such as:

* KidSport BC has received more than $800,000 over the last three years from the government and SportsFunder (British Columbia Lottery Corporation) and will continue to help families defray the costs of registering their children in sport.

* SportsFunder has flowed more than $3 million to other programs such as team development for the Canada Games, youth sport travel and coach training.

* Government has provided $14.5 million over five years for Action Schools! BC, which continues to deliver school-based programs focused on integrating physical activity and healthy eating messages into the classroom.

* BC Sport Participation Program (BCSPP) has received more than $1 million in provincial funding and continues to offer free or subsidized sport programs within school or community settings.

This is on top of school-based sports and physical activity programming which the government continues to support by increasing funds for school districts by more than $80 million this year.

H1N1

As we get ready for the start of school, the Province is preparing for a possible reappearance of the H1N1 flu virus in B.C. schools. The Province and the Office of the Provincial Health Officer, in consultation with the federal government and public health partners have developed new guidelines around school closures that complement both the ministry and school district pandemic plans.

We have been advised that individual school closures, community-wide closures and province-wide closures will not be useful in controlling the spread and impact of the H1N1 flu virus. However, according to the school closure guidelines, the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Perry Kendall in consultation with the local medical health officer will make the final decision on whether it is necessary to close schools or other facilities if they believe it is necessary for public health reasons.

We are committed to keeping all British Columbians informed about this virus and its possible impacts on our schools. Therefore, we are making information available to parents and students on the Province’s H1N1 website. We are also working with our public health and education colleagues to ensure that our students, teachers and parents are prepared for the upcoming flu season.

The Ministry of Education has developed a pandemic response framework that is now available for schools to guide their individual planning. The framework, which will assist boards of education to plan solutions for emergency situations will also provide guidance to independent schools and will be available to the Aboriginal education system. 
 

Message from
Minister Margaret MacDiarmid

With more than half-a-million students returning to school this September, and the 2010 Winter Games on our doorstep, this is an exciting time for students, teachers and parents. The start of school brings new development and learning opportunities. As we launch into the new school year – my first as Minister of Education – I want to take this brief opportunity to introduce myself.

Twenty-three years ago, I began my career as a family physician. I saw that the issues my patients faced on a daily basis – both medical and personal – were often part of deeper, more widespread social concerns. As a member of the board of the B.C. Medical Association and later, as BCMA president, I was able to advocate for system change that could help address some of those issues.

It was my desire to see change on a much broader scale that eventually led me to pursue a career in Provincial politics. When I was presented with the opportunity to become Minister of Education, I embraced the responsibility whole-heartedly, knowing that education is the cornerstone of a child’s future prosperity and opportunity.

I believe there is no better determinant of future quality of life than education. Education is empowering; it can open doors just as simply and irrevocably as a lack of education can close them. Our schools build the leaders of tomorrow, giving them the skills and confidence to succeed in the workplace and become the innovators who will diversify and strengthen our economy, helping to shape a brighter tomorrow for us all.

British Columbia has one of the best education systems in the world. We are fortunate in this province to have educational staff who work tirelessly on behalf of our students.

Teachers have an incredible influence on the attitudes and views of students and it’s of the utmost importance that we provide a school environment that encourages teachers to engage with and inspire young learners. We want educators to get a feeling of joy from their work, just as we want students to take pleasure in the process of learning.

Students are our focus and their accomplishments will be the bar against which we measure our success. Together, our goal is to keep students inspired – to show them how to push for excellence, give them the courage to achieve and empower them to exceed expectations.

The 2009/10 school year will undeniably be a year of challenges; however, it will also be a year of tremendous opportunity. We have been given the gift of hosting the 2010 Winter Games – a once-in-a-lifetime chance to engage our students in the many teachable moments that surround this momentous global event. I encourage educators to get involved by accessing 2010 educational resources (www.sharingthedream.gov.bc.ca) to spark the interest and enthusiasm of our young people before the Games begin.

As I embark on my first school year as minister, I am thrilled at the prospects that lie ahead of us. I am honoured to be able to share with you my vision for K-12 education in this great province and to work with you to see every student in B.C. given the chance to reach new heights of achievement and realize their full potential.

Olympic Corner

I encourage educators to get their students involved with the 2010 Winter Games. The Sharing the Dream: Teachable Moments for the 2010 Classroom DVD is being made available to every elementary and secondary school in British Columbia and includes a wide range of resources: lesson ideas, teacher guides, videos and audio podcasts. 

Through the DVD package going to schools and at http://www.sharingthedream.gov.bc.ca you will find a wide range of Olympic-themed programs including:

2010 Spirit Schools
The 2010 Spirit Schools program, created by the Ministry of Education and ActNow BC, encourages schools to take the World Healthy Living Challenge and to make the most of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games educational resources. This challenge encourages healthy eating, exercise and reducing energy consumption.

Student Reporter
The Student Reporter program provides an opportunity for your students to be journalists covering the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter
Games.

Adopt a Country
Adopt a Country enhances global citizenship and awareness by encouraging students
to learn about other countries.

Student-led Webcasts
The Sharing the Dream student-led webcast series spreads the excitement of the
Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to classrooms across Canada.

Pan-Canadian Paralympic School Week (November 2-6, 2009)
Brings the spirit and the values of the Paralympic Movement – human interdependence, equity and fairness – to schools across Canada.

Lesson Starters
Developed by BC teachers, Sharing the Dream Lesson Starters help you incorporate themes from the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games into your existing course structures. 
 
Ministry of Education - Education Report
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