Image: Heather Maahs

By MLA Heather Maahs, Chilliwack North

OPINION

YOUR PERSPECTIVE: Accountability, not just dollars, needed in B.C. education

Dec 24, 2024 | 8:04 AM

The BC NDP government, much like their federal NDP-Liberal counterparts, seems to believe that simply throwing money at education will solve systemic issues. Former Premier Glen Clark once likened this approach to “shovelling money off the back of trucks,” and Premier David Eby’s government appears to be following that playbook. The increase in per-pupil funding to an eye-watering $14,767 per student has not translated into improved outcomes. In fact, the opposite has happened. Student performance in critical areas like reading, science, and math has declined.

How did we get here? One significant factor is the removal of tools that drive accountability and transparency. By scrapping high school provincial exams and eliminating letter grades for middle school students, this government has undermined the very benchmarks that help measure success. Sure, BC now boasts record-high graduation rates—but without meaningful standards, what do those diplomas signify?

The federal government’s approach to Indigenous education is a striking parallel. According to a recent Fraser Institute report, Ottawa has increased funding for Indigenous education to a staggering $32 billion. Yet, despite this historic investment, academic outcomes for Indigenous students remain disappointingly stagnant. Education, as former Premier John Horgan was fond of saying, is supposed to be the great equalizer.

It offers every student—regardless of background—a fair shot at success. So why has this massive influx of funding failed to move the needle?

The answer lies in accountability—or rather, the lack of it. Funding alone cannot fix systemic issues if it isn’t tied to measurable outcomes. Without clear benchmarks or consequences for underperformance, we are pouring money into systems that fail to deliver. And in BC, the NDP’s decision to eliminate letter grades and exams has made it even harder to track progress, let alone ensure it.

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It’s time to shift the focus from how much we’re spending to how effectively we’re spending it. We need to prioritize equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in further education, the workforce, and life. That means focusing on results—not just record-high funding levels or graduation rates. Accountability must be at the heart of our education systems, ensuring every dollar spent is improving outcomes for students.

Ultimately, taxpayers deserve to see value for their investment—especially when it comes to something as critical as the education of our children. Funding must go beyond optics and serve its true purpose: preparing all students for a future where they can thrive, contribute, and build better lives for themselves and their families.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of Fraser Valley Today or Pattison Media.