B.C. Liberals Move Goal Posts Rather Than Addressing Deplorable First Nations Graduation Rates
QUESNEL— The B.C. Liberals' decision to give up on improving graduation rates among First Nations is a disservice to aboriginal communities and a disappointment for all British Columbians, the New Democrats said today.
"Despite years of promises to do better, B.C. has made no significant gains in 
Bob Simpsonimproving graduation rates for aboriginal youth,” said Bob Simpson , New Democrat critic for aboriginal relations.
“It’s clear that not enough is being done to address issues such as poverty and unstable housing – the underlying causes of the gap in aboriginal student achievement. But rather than committing to work with communities and address the problem, the government seems willing to give up on improving the education system for First Nations students.”
Yesterday the government issued a press release trumpeting a one-per-cent increase in graduation rates among First Nations youth, despite the fact that fewer than half of the First Nations students in the province graduate.
Robin Austin“The government is saying it is ‘pleased’ with a graduation rate is 49 per cent,” said Robin Austin , the New Democrat critic for education. “These rates are deplorable; we need to do better.”
In September, Representative for Children and Youth Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond sounded the alarm when the government downgraded their target graduation rates for aboriginal youth from 60 per cent to 50 per cent.
“The government needs to stop downgrading their targets and start taking significant action to improve graduation rates among First Nations,” said Simpson. “By moving the goal posts backwards, this government is signaling that they are not prepared to do what it takes to improve aboriginal graduation rates.”
Carole James and New Democrats have been calling on the B.C. government to back up the promises in the New Relationship Accord with action, and to support of the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People.
