The Year in Education in Surrey: A Look Back at the Struggles and Triumphs

Headline 1: Surrey School District Faces Challenges with Portables

In April, trustees publicly voiced their frustrations with the education ministry, highlighting the ongoing issue of double-decker portables in Surrey. With nearly 400 portables in use, it became clear that a solution was needed to address the concerns of parents, educators, and students.

Headline 2: Surrey’s School Infrastructure Crisis

Surrey’s limited school infrastructure became a pressing issue, with both the city and trustees acknowledging the crisis. However, tensions arose as the city council unexpectedly rejected the district’s 2024-25 capital projects plan, leading to the need for mediation between the two parties.

Headline 3: The Controversy Surrounding SOGI in Schools

The topic of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) in schools sparked heated debates, protests, and even a petition to recall the education minister. The protests in Surrey gained momentum throughout the year, raising concerns about the well-being of students and leading to a call for reforms in the education system.

Headline 4: Changes to Question Period Policy

In response to the evolving needs of the community, trustees unanimously voted to amend the question period policy, allowing the public to ask questions related to the meeting’s agenda topics. This change aimed to provide more timely feedback and address specific concerns raised during board meetings.

Headline 5: Efforts to Combat Over-Crowding

Surrey and White Rock schools faced over-crowding challenges, prompting the district to open new additions to existing schools and announce plans for future school sites. The ongoing construction projects, such as Ta’talu Elementary and Snokomish Elementary, aimed to alleviate the strain on current school facilities and ensure students have adequate learning environments.

Headline 6: Exploring Alternative Solutions to Over-Crowding

The district, faced with the persistent issue of over-crowding, considered innovative solutions to create sufficient classroom space. Proposals included night classes, summer school options, and busing students to schools in different catchment areas. A survey seeking feedback from parents was conducted to gather input on potential changes.

Headline 7: Surrey Teacher’s Global Recognition

Annie Ohana, a high school teacher at L.A. Matheson Secondary, achieved international recognition as she reached the Top 10 for the Global Teacher Prize. Despite not claiming the ultimate prize, Ohana’s nomination celebrated her outstanding work in social justice and indigenous studies, making a positive impact on the lives of her students.

In conclusion, the year in education in Surrey was marked by a series of challenges, including the use of portables, infrastructure issues, controversies surrounding SOGI, and over-crowding in schools. However, amidst these struggles, there were also moments of celebration and recognition for the remarkable achievements of dedicated educators like Annie Ohana.