Dear editor,
This is a letter aimed at Ms. Premier and Mr. Iker,
My name is Josh Burneau. I am a 17-year-old Grade 12 student. Outside of school, I am actively involved in my community, volunteering and being a sixth-year air cadet at my local squadron. I spent my summer like most Grade 11 students do, working to save up for post-secondary education. I want to get a degree in criminology, and become an RCMP officer.
At school, I really enjoy math and science. I love going to school every day and seeing my teachers, learning something new every day. Nothing puts a bigger smile on my face then the feeling I get when my teacher is able explain something to me, sometimes over and over again, until I get it.
Oh right, I forgot to mention. I have a learning disability so teachers often spend more time than other students helping me. In a class of 30, with a 75-minute block, after the lesson, teachers have less than 60 seconds per student.
When there are three students like me, how can you expect us to get good grades? I have always gotten good grades, but because I spend countless hours reviewing and studying with my dad, not because the teachers have enough time to help me.
On that note, I agree that right now, economic times are not very good. I think that asking for that much money in wage increases and benefits is uncalled for and ridiculous. There is no way we can afford that as a province, not any chance at all.
Ms. Premier, I ask that you seriously consider the class sizes and extra teachers, support staff and learning assistance.
Mr. Iker, I ask that you have another look at your wage and benefit demands. A serious look.
To both parties: Realize that every single second you take away from my education is making it harder for me to become a police officer. Making it harder for students in BC to get a bursary, or scholarship. I hope that you realize that.
If you wanted to discuss this further, or want to know what else the students are thinking, we should grab a coffee, all three of us, up in Comox where I could give you a more in-depth student’s perspective.
Thank you very much.
Josh Burneau
Comox