Strategic Context

Like any large organization, the Ministry of Education is influenced by the social, economic, cultural and political forces that are part of everyday life in British Columbia. Factors such as the number and location of students, an aging population, labour relations, poverty levels, children's health, and the special needs of children all impact the education system.

Examination of the Ministry's risks and opportunities helps to identify those factors that are likely to affect the Ministry's success in achieving its goals, and allows the Ministry to take advantage of opportunities or to take steps to minimize negative impacts.

  • British Columbia's students perform very well compared to other Canadian and international jurisdictions.
  • B.C.'s economy is booming and as a result, skilled trades workers are in high demand.
  • Government is working collaboratively with its partners through shared expertise and education initiatives such as the Western and Northern Canadian Protocol, which will benefit member jurisdictions. A memorandum of understanding with Alberta allows both governments to collaborate, realize efficiencies, and enhance economic development.
  • The Aboriginal population in British Columbia is young and growing at a faster rate than the non-Aboriginal population.
  • The number of children identified in special needs categories that qualify for supplemental funding in British Columbia continues to grow, notably for children requiring intensive interventions and supports.
  • A growing proportion of our students require English as a Second Language (ESL) services, however these students are more likely to graduate than non-ESL students.
  • There are a significant number of children (25 per cent) who are not ready for school when they start Kindergarten — this results in students who are likely to have difficulty in school in the future.
  • Declining Enrolment — Between 2000/2001 and 2006/07, enrolment has declined by approximately 42,500 students. In fact, over the next five years enrolment is expected to decline by another 30,000 students, decreasing by about 6,000 students each year. While the Ministry has no control over student enrolment numbers, declining student enrolment requires active management by school boards.
  • Child obesity rates are increasing dramatically, as are incidences of Type II Diabetes.
  • The education system does not perform well in serving some groups — Aboriginal students are the most visible example. There is still a significant difference in the achievement levels of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students.

Key Strategic Issues — focus for the next three years

For the 2007/08 – 2009/10 planning period, the Ministry of Education will continue to focus on the key strategic priorities identified in the 2006/07 – 2008/09 Service Plan.5

  • Literacy

Literacy remains a strategic priority for the Government and for the Ministry. Results from the latest Statistics Canada International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey6 show that although British Columbia, along with the Yukon, Alberta and Saskatchewan, had average scores that were significantly higher than the national average in all four of the literacy domains tested, 40 per cent of adults in B.C. scored below the desired proficiency level for "prose literacy."7 This means that two-fifths of our population does not have sufficient reading skills required to do everyday tasks, such as completing forms, or researching information on the internet. People with inadequate reading skills have reduced earning potential and are not able to participate fully in a knowledge society.

  • Obesity

The rate of obesity continues to increase among Canadian children and youth. In the 1998/99 National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, more than one-third of Canadian children were classified as overweight and 18 per cent as obese.8 Obesity is more common (25 per cent) in children living in families with incomes below the low income cut-off than those above (16 per cent). Fewer obese children (38 per cent) were active compared to non-obese children (47 per cent) and many obese children go on to become obese adults. As a result, these individuals experience a heightened risk of cardio- and cerebral-vascular diseases, type II diabetes, certain cancers and many musculoskeletal disorders.9

  • Early Learning

It is widely recognized that early learning experiences and development play a major role in a child's later academic success. Currently, approximately 25 per cent of children are not ready to learn when they enter Kindergarten.10 Early learning is also critical to higher levels of literacy skills later in life. The Ministry of Education, along with other ministries and community partners, will continue to focus on a wide range of initiatives and programs to improve early learning outcomes and help prepare children for success in school.
5  To view changes from 2006/07 – 2008/09 Service Plan to 2007/08 – 2009/10 Service Plan please see:
http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/annualreport/2007/changes.pdf.
6  http://www.statcan.ca/cgi-bin/imdb/p2SV.pl?Function=getSurvey&SDDS=4406&lang=
en&db=IMDB&dbg=f&adm=8&dis=2.
7  Please see International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey Assessment Scale.
8  Statistics Canada 2002. National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth.
9  An Ounce of Prevention. A Public Health Rationale for the School as a Setting for Health Promotion: A Report of the Provincial Health Officer, P.R.W. Kendall. 2003.
10  The British Columbia Atlas of Child Development (Human Early Learning Partnership); Paul Kershaw, Lori Irwin, Kate Trafford, and Clyde Hertzman. 2005.
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