BCTF and CUPE BC members meet with MLAs to discuss violence in classrooms
- syoung679
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
As I evacuated or interceded in yet another violence incident, I found myself saying, “You are safe; you are okay.” After reflecting on these words, I stopped saying this. I realized I was condoning violence and teaching my Kindergarten students the violence they were witnessing was acceptable. Now I say, “This is not okay; this child is still learning to be safe.” – Amy Read
The above quote is from a statement by teacher Amy Read at a lobbying event held in Victoria where BCTF and CUPE BC members came together to discuss violence in classrooms with MLAs and Premier David Eby.
Over the course of two days, four BCTF members and four CUPE BC members working as education assistants (EAs) met with 31 MLAs. Each teacher and EA shared a personal story of violence in classrooms to draw attention to the prevalence of this issue.
Teachers spoke eloquently about their students who, with all their complexities, have a right to an education and a right to learn. They spoke of being kicked, hit, punched, and bitten. They talked about stopping dysregulated children from running into oncoming traffic. They told stories of Kindergarten students biting through the winter coats of staff members until they drew blood, pulling out the hair of their classmates, and threatening horrific violence. They spoke about the lack of dignity for these students in being unable to articulate their needs, to be seen and served by the educators around them, and the deep frustration of teachers and EAs who are unable to properly support them.
“Students who exhibit violent behaviours need us more than ever. They need structure, stability, routine, and positive relationships with the people around them. There are too many needs and not enough people to support,” said teacher Michelle McNulty when reading her statement to MLAs.
In addition to personal stories, the members shared what is needed in BC’s public education system to better support all students and staff. They advocated for immediate action on the government’s commitment to ensuring every primary classroom has at least one EA and every school has a counsellor.
The collective demands also included ending the backlog of assessments for BC students, ensuring the hours and wages of careers in K–12 public education address recruitment and retention issues, and redistributing millions of dollars that are currently funding elite private schools into the public education system. BCTF President Clint Johnston and CUPE BC President Karen Ranalletta, who also attended, spoke of the need for immediate and impactful investment in public education.
“Ultimately, every child deserves to feel safe in school, and every educator deserves to work in an environment where they can teach without fear of violence. We owe it to our students and staff to provide the support, resources, and the funding and staff support necessary to make our schools places of learning, not places of fear,” said teacher Raveena Kang.
This was the first joint lobbying effort from the BCTF and CUPE BC on violence in classrooms. Regan Rankin, one of the BCTF members who attended the meetings said the stories, while difficult to listen to, were incredibly impactful. “Throughout the discussions, the MLAs demonstrated genuine emotion and empathy, asking insightful questions,” said Regan. “Now, it will be in their hands to act on the information we provide.”