Recent numbers which show that B.C. has fallen to last place when it comes to supporting post-secondary students in financial need under the Campbell government mean that students from outside of the province’s urban core have to struggle to get a post secondary education says North Coast MLA Gary Coons.
“Even low income students raised in urban areas have the advantage of being able to live at home or with relatives while they complete their education,” said Coons. “However, for students from regions like the North Coast, the combination of sky high tuition fees and out of reach rental rates has forced many students to abandon schooling or take on ever increasing debt loads to finance their education.”
The percentage of the labour force in the northwest with a post secondary certificate or bachelor’s degree is significantly lower than the provincial average. The region also has the highest rate of unemployment in British Columbia.
“It is not a coincidence that the northwest has a smaller percentage of workers with post secondary education and a higher unemployment rate,” said Coons. “Education increases labour productivity and induces economic growth. Campbell has contributed to the economic tailspin in the northwest by making it more difficult to access post-secondary education.”
A report released today by the Canadian Millennium Scholarship Foundation entitled Ten Things You Need to Know About Financial Support for Post-Secondary Students in Canada, shows that B.C. now offers the lowest amount of non-repayable grants as a percentage of student aid to students in real financial need, at a mere 12 per cent. This is in stark contrast to provinces like Manitoba where the percentage of student aid that is non-repayable is 48 per cent.
“Many students from small communities are hit with the double whammy of poverty and lack of educational opportunities,” said Coons. “Campbell’s cuts have put education out of reach for many rural residents.”
Carole James and NDP have a five point plan for post-secondary education. Included in that plan is the full restoration of the four year needs based grant program. For more information on our plan, visit http://bcndpcaucus.ca/en/node/1729
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