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The Report

CPEN is proud to present the full Charter for Public Education report to individuals and communities everywhere, who share our belief that "Public Education is a sacred trust."

The report breaks down the principles of the Charter for Public Education, and provides testimony heard throughout a provincial public hearing process which took place from October 2002 through February 2003. Much of the data collected has been synopsized and cross referenced to a list of contributors named, according to community, at the beginning of the report. The report can be downloaded in its entirety, or by individual chapters.

The Charter, which was created by the public, now belongs to the public. And it is our sincere hope that all citizens, learners and educators alike, will be inspired by the findings shared within this report.

You may also download and print the individual sections according to the Table of Contents.

Table of Contents

Introduction, Background, and Process

During the winter of 2001-2002, the leadership of the British Columbia Teachers' Federation began a process that was to lead eventually to the development of the Charter for Public Education. The idea was to form an independent commission that would travel the province, hear from and speak with British Columbians, and then report back in the form of a Charter. The Charter process was always seen in the context of a strong and vibrant public education system. (Read more)

The Context

There is a rich international context of debate and growing consensus regarding the principles of public education. Similarly, much can be learned from discussions in other Canadian provinces, and from the history of policy making here in British Columbia. The international context comprises United Nations documentation and, with Canadian commentary and B.C. materials, the principles that are enunciated are consistent and overlapping. As well, the opinions, values and principles in these documents and studies are reflected time and again in submissions that were made to the Charter panel. (Read more)

Representative Submissions

The thoughtfulness of the more than 620 presentations made to the Charter for Public Education was inspiring. Some submissions stood out, not so much because they were more meaningful than others, but because they were representative of the whole. Together, they provide a kind of summary of the findings of the panel, and point directly to the principles and vision articulated in the Charter. (Read more)

Opening Paragraph

Public education is a sacred trust. The depth of emotion and feeling expressed by individual presenters left the panel in no doubt that public education is at the core of our society and the communities in which we live. (Read more)

Rights

Everyone has the right to a free quality public education. The Charter panel was surprised and delighted at the number of presentations that called for education to be recognized as a right. Yet there is both a desire to assert the right to this education as a principle and anxiety that increasingly this "right" is being undermined. (Read more)

We Promise

We promise to recognize the learner is at the centre of public education. There was a wide range of ideas, issues and principles covered in submissions to the Charter panel. Some of these were so deeply felt, and repeated so many times, that the panel came to see them as "promises" or commitments that the people of the province wished to make to themselves, to the public education system, and especially to students. (Read more)

We Expect

We expect Government to be responsible for fully funding all aspects of a quality education. Many of the presentations made by participants in the Charter process referred to the provision of services, resources, the responsibilities of governments at various levels and the participation of others in the public education system. The panel came to refer to these as the expectations of British Columbians for the public education system. (Read more)

Early Childhood Education

Many presenters spoke to the importance of the early years to a child's development and future success in the public school system and in life. It was suggested a closer relationship, and even an integration of early childhood education programs with the formal public education system. (Read more)

Post Secondary Education

The issue of access to post-secondary education is clearly of concern to many people. The constant message from politicians and media is that to have a successful life one must have a "good" job and to have a good job one must have some level of post-secondary education. However, there are a number of obstacles for entrants to post-secondary programs. (Read more)

Educated Person

"What is an educated person?" This particular question generated a great deal of discussion at each of the hearings. Many participants had prepared in advance and gave very thoughtful insights into their own personal experiences. Others spoke from the heart about individuals who had influenced their lives. (Read more)

Educated Community

"What is an educated community?" There was a great deal of interest in this topic and a great range of views, often influenced by the size and geographic location of the community. It became clear to the panel that public education and community are intimately linked. (Read more)

Current Challenges

A great number of the participants in the Charter process came to the hearings with the determination and need to share their concerns about current challenges to the British Columbia public education system. The panel reminded presenters that the Charter was to be a document that expressed principles and vision rather than anxiety and criticism. To truthfully reflect in this report the depth of feeling expressed by participants, this section will highlight briefly what was presented in this regard. (Read more)

Conclusion

The development of a Charter for Public Education has become much more than an exercise of committing words to paper. It is a living example of participatory democracy. With over 1500 participants in community meetings around the province voicing their deepest feelings, beliefs, anxieties and hopes for public education, a process has begun which is assuming a life of its own. (Read more)

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