Ministry Overview

Purpose of Ministry

The Ministry of Education oversees the K–12 education system in British Columbia — this includes both public schools and independent schools. As well, in line with the Government’s new priorities following the provincial election in May 2005, the Ministry’s mandate was expanded to include responsibility for Public Libraries, improving literacy rates across all segments of the population, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Children and Family Development, for Early Learning.1

The Ministry of Education has a primary and substantive role in determining education policies. The roles and responsibilities of the Ministry and its partners are set out under the School Act, the Teaching Profession Act, the Independent School Act, the Library Act and accompanying regulations.

The K–12 system serves approximately 570,910 public school FTEs (full-time equivalents), including 55,189 Aboriginal students, approximately 63,709 independent school student FTEs and more than 2,700 home-schooled children.2

The Ministry of Education co-governs K–12 education with school boards — education services are delivered locally through school boards, public schools and independent schools, while the Ministry provides leadership, develops policy and legislation, oversees system governance, sets results-based standards and develops accountability frameworks. Public library services are provided through the Public Library Services Branch of the Ministry.

Public Schools

The Provincial Government exercises legislative authority over the public education system through the School Act and its subordinate legislation. The Minister of Education,3 whose role and responsibilities are set out in the School Act, has legislative authority to supervise and monitor the K–12 school system, and to fund schools in a cost-effective manner. The Minister advises Cabinet on all matters relating to education, and is responsible to the Legislature for the performance of the Ministry. Collectively, the Government is held accountable for its performance through the electoral system.

The School Act sets out the rights and responsibilities of students, parents, teachers, principals, school district officials, school boards, and the Minister of Education. The Act allows for local decision-making by empowering 60 school boards (including one francophone authority) to administer public school legislation and regulations. Under the Act, school boards are responsible for designing and providing educational programs that reflect the aspirations of the local community, and for the management and operation of schools in the district. More specifically, school boards are responsible for:

  • improving student achievement;
  • employing district staff;
  • preparing and managing the district’s operating budget and capital plan;
  • allocating funds to meet the needs of the district;
  • preparing an annual Accountability Contract;
  • developing and implementing Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreements;
  • approving local courses; and
  • adjudicating complaints from parents and students.

Each of the 60 school districts has a superintendent, who is responsible for the general organization, administration, supervision and evaluation of all educational programs, and for the operation of schools in the district. The superintendent is accountable to the school board and on some matters, to the Minister of Education.

The Ministry’s Accountability Framework focuses school and school board attention and resources on improving student achievement. All school boards, in accordance with the Framework, are accountable to the Government and the public for their students’ achievement (please refer to Appendix 2 for more information on the Accountability Framework). The key components of the Accountability Framework are:

  • School Plans — each school has in place a school planning council whose primary responsibility is to develop, monitor and review school plans for student achievement, in consultation with the school community. School planning councils acknowledge the importance of parental involvement and formalize their role in the school planning process.
  • Accountability Contracts — under the Accountability Contract, each board’s responsibility for governing its schools to achieve the results targeted in its Contract is balanced with the flexibility to meet the unique needs of the local community.
  • Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreements — an EA4 is a working agreement between a school board, all local Aboriginal communities and the Ministry of Education. EAs acknowledge the essential role of Aboriginal communities in the education of their children.
  • District Reviews — up to 20 of the 60 school districts are reviewed annually. District Reviews provide feedback and recommendations to the school district, the Ministry and the public regarding the school district’s work in improving student achievement.
1  For a list of changes from the 2005/06–2007/08 Service Plan Update that was published in September 2005, please refer to Appendix 1.
2  The number of home-schooled children refers to the combination of public and independent school students who were registered as homeschoolers for the 2004/05 school year.
3  The Minister of Education (and Minister Responsible for Early Learning and Literacy) is also referred to as “the Minister” and “the Minister of Education.”
4  Currently 22 Enhancement agreements have been signed, and 12 are in the draft phase. A further 24 EAs are in the planning and development phase. The remaining two districts, Nisga’a and West Vancouver, have alternate arrangements in place.

Independent Schools

Independent schools5 provide an alternative to a public school education, and offer parents and students more choice in the type of educational program that best suits their needs and interests. Independent schools are governed under the Independent School Act, which requires all independent schools to satisfy basic requirements and to hold a Certificate of Group Classification.

The inspector of independent schools is responsible for the administration of the Independent School Act, regulations and Minister’s Orders. The inspector classifies and inspects independent schools, ensures schools meet Independent School Act requirements, certifies teachers applying for independent school teacher certification, administers the offshore school certification program, and sets independent school distributed learning policies. Independent schools are governed by boards of directors, which are similar in function to public school boards.

The Office of the Inspector of Independent Schools has a comprehensive external evaluation and inspection process to ensure compliance with the Independent School Act. Certified and funded Group 1 and 2 and 4 independent schools have a higher level of compliance and accountability than non-funded Group 3 independent schools.

Early Learning

Current research shows the period from birth to age six is a crucial phase of a child’s development, and every dollar spent on early childhood development can save several dollars in intervention later on in a child’s life. In partnership with the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education works to improve outcomes for early learners through programs, initiatives, supporting families and raising awareness (through, for example, “Success by 6” and “Raise a Reader”).

Literacy

In British Columbia, the Ministry of Education has the lead for improving literacy across all segments of society, from young children to seniors. Through partnerships with communities, school boards, other ministries, and other organizations the Ministry will develop and promote this crucial life skill in every learner across our province. The Ministry will also work with the Premier’s Advisory Panel on Literacy to assess literacy challenges, identify urgent needs, and develop a comprehensive action strategy to help meet B.C.’s literacy goals.

Public Libraries

Public Libraries are key players in the Government’s commitment to make B.C. the best educated, most literate jurisdiction on the continent. They play an important role in managing information services, to ensure that citizens have seamless access to information that is current, accurate and relevant. As new technologies revolutionize access to information, the role of libraries will become even more significant, especially in rural British Columbia. The Ministry, through 70 library boards, provides leadership and support services for the operation of the public library system, which serves ninety-eight per cent of B.C.’s population.6 Approximately fifty-five per cent of British Columbians have active library cards, which they use on a regular basis — and the demand for library services is rising.7

Vision, Mission and Values

Vision

The Ministry’s vision is to make B.C. the best educated, most literate jurisdiction on the continent.

Mission

The mission of the Ministry of Education is to set the legal, financial, curricular and accountability frameworks so as to enable all learners to develop their individual potential and to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to contribute to a healthy, democratic and pluralistic society and a prosperous, sustainable economy.

Values

The Government of British Columbia believes that the highest standards of conduct among public service employees are essential to maintain and enhance the public’s trust and confidence in the public service. The Ministry is committed to carrying out its mandate in accordance with the following key values:

  • Quality: To support the achievement of all students within a quality, performance-oriented education system.
  • Service: To provide high levels of service for students, the public, education partners, ministry colleagues, and government.
  • Collaboration: To promote collaborative and respectful approaches to communication and decision-making both internally and externally.
  • Integrity: To behave with integrity and fairness, and promote relationships of mutual trust and confidence.
  • Excellence: To strive for excellence in all aspects of our work, and acknowledge each other’s contributions.
5  Independent schools are classified into one of four Groups, and the amount of provincial regulation, funding and entitlements varies among the four Groups.
6  Across B.C. there are 235 public library branches operating under the governance of 70 library boards.
7  For more information, please see the 2004 Strategic Plan for Public Libraries — Libraries Without Walls: The World Within Your Reach — A Vision for Public Libraries in British Columbia, available online at: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/pls/library_strategic_plan.pdf.
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