Surrey parents prepare for a rally in response to education cuts. They demand more funding and support for students and staff.
Rally for Education Funding
“Enough is enough!” That’s the message ringing loud and clear in Surrey, where parents are organizing a rally to protest the ongoing education funding cuts affecting local schools. This public demonstration, set for May 16th, comes on the heels of troubling announcements that are set to impact students and staff alike.
A Rally for Basic Needs in Schools
Alison Speed, a parent from Ellendale Elementary, recently shared her frustrations after learning that her child’s school was running low on basic supplies, including paper and paper towels—a direct result of dwindling funds. In a social media post, Speed expressed her concern over the cutbacks and their devastating impact on student learning and teacher burnout.
The rally is a direct response to these ongoing challenges. As Speed puts it, “This is not just about students with disabilities, it’s about every single student. When teachers lose educational assistant support, they have to pick up the slack, reducing the overall quality of learning.”
Impact of the Cuts: More Than Just a Budget Issue
The latest announcement from the Surrey School District revealed cuts of up to 50 inclusive education support workers (IESWs), a critical support group for students with disabilities. These cuts, attributed to employee attrition, will be implemented as current IESWs resign or retire, leaving many vacancies unfilled.
In addition to the loss of educational assistants, other cuts will affect band classes, busing services, and learning centre closures. The district is grappling with a $16 million shortfall, prompting these difficult decisions.
The cuts, however, extend beyond just positions—they represent a fundamental issue of underfunded schools, leaving staff to manage more with less. Speed and others are growing increasingly frustrated by the ongoing neglect of the school system, and now, they are calling for action.
Rallying for Change: A Stand for Students
Parents, teachers, and community members will gather at the District Education Centre on May 16th, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., to make their voices heard. Participants are encouraged to bring a packed lunch for the long day of protests, as they demand that education be treated as a top priority.
As Speed put it, “It’s time for our voices to be heard. Our children’s education should be a government priority, not an afterthought.”
Join the Fight for a Better Future for Our Children
This rally serves as a powerful reminder that quality education should never be compromised. Parents in Surrey are standing together to demand that the government invest in the future of the next generation, ensuring that all students have access to the resources and support they need to succeed.
Stay tuned to Maple News Wire for more updates on education issues in Surrey and beyond, and how communities are coming together to demand a change.
