B.C. Premier John Horgan made one of his first major announcements from Saanich香蕉视频直播檚 Camosun College on Tuesday, stating his government will eliminate tuition fees on adult basic education and English language learning programs.
The announcement reverses action taken by the B.C. Liberals in 2015, which allowed education institutions to charge up to $1,600 per semester for full-time studies for adult learners. In turn, enrolment dropped by almost 35 per cent between the 2013-14 and 2016-17 school years.
Adult students who香蕉视频直播檝e prepaid for basic education and English language courses for September will be refunded, Horgan said.
香蕉视频直播淣ew Canadians who want a head start improving their language skills, students getting ready for university, adult learners going back to school to upgrade their skills to improve their opportunities or just getting a high school diploma, adult basic education should be free for everyone, it should be a right,香蕉视频直播� Horgan said.
The cost to make basic education free again will be included in September香蕉视频直播檚 budget.
The premier also confirmed NDP香蕉视频直播檚 plan to end interest on student loans in B.C.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e actually going to reduce the [interest on] borrowing for student loans to zero, interest free, as well as a completion grant for those who have finished their education,香蕉视频直播� said Horgan.
The grant will create an incentive to those who香蕉视频直播檝e built up a large student debt during studies, to knock off as much as $1,000 from their balance when they finish, he added.
Both announcements are welcome news for the B.C. Federation of Students which has been pressing years for these changes.
香蕉视频直播淎dults who want to go back to [high school] shouldn香蕉视频直播檛 be charged for that,香蕉视频直播� said Simka Marshall, chairperson for the B.C. Federation of Students. 香蕉视频直播淭his is something we香蕉视频直播檝e been campaigning for, we香蕉视频直播檝e had 23 municipalities endorse our campaign calling for free adult education so this is a really welcome change.香蕉视频直播�
RELATED:
香蕉视频直播淥ur province can香蕉视频直播檛 afford to lose students who are keen to learn or advance their skills training in the post-secondary sector because of financial barriers,香蕉视频直播� said Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training Melanie Mark. 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 proud we香蕉视频直播檙e taking this action to expand opportunities for ABE and ELL students to thrive in the workforce and achieve academic success.香蕉视频直播�
Horgan also spoke to softwood lumber deal with the U.S. and to Oak Bay-Gordon Head MLA Andrew Weaver香蕉视频直播檚 disapproval of Horgan香蕉视频直播檚 upcoming golf tournament in Victoria that costs $500 per entry.
香蕉视频直播淚 have spoken to [Weaver about it],香蕉视频直播� Horgan said. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 not a closed event, and anyway the cost largely goes to paying the green fees. [Fleming] and I have hosted this for a decade, it香蕉视频直播檚 not secret, it香蕉视频直播檚 not cash-for-access, anyone can join.香蕉视频直播�
ragnar.haagen@bpdigital.ca
Like us on and follow us on .
