Editor:For years we've all heard the mantra: "education funding has never been higher." The truth is that schools in our community have been consistently and significantly under-funded since 2001 when the Campbell government came to power.
To unravel the spin of "highest funding ever," a colleague offered the following comparison.
Two years ago, it cost $100 to buy a week's worth of basic groceries for your family. The next year, the same basket of groceries costs $110, but don't worry, you get a $2 increase. Put that increase through the Shirley Bond spin-cycle and, voilà, you now have more money than ever before.
Unfortunately you're still $8 bucks short for that basket of groceries. The following year, the basket of groceries is $120. But wait, good news again - two more dollars for your grocery budget for a total of $104. Once again, "the highest funding ever" -only now you're $16 bucks short and told to be grateful.
Cuts to education in our community continue this year as they have every year since the Campbell government was elected. Government owes our children more than empty words. It's time to invest in education.
Denis Fafard
Gibsons
