The Editor,
Should teachers think like economists? I, for one, don’t. I’ve been a teacher for 13 years and I recently met with my MLA, John Yap (on Sept. 12) for 40 minutes, to ask him his thoughts on the teachers’ dispute, and to encourage binding arbitration to end it.
Mr. Yap answered my questions patiently and courteously. Roof on BC Place? Good for the economy. Olympics? Good for the economy…and therefore good for all British Columbians. Surplus? A sign government is making the right decisions for the economy. Give some of that surplus to settle the dispute? Well, $200 million isn’t much in a $40 billion yearly budget. Wait, not much? Then why is it so much to invest in education? I asked. Well, forest fires, things like that can come up. Gotta save it for more important stuff, was the message I got.
I’ve reflected on his answers these past few days. Certainly, the economy is important. But how does one put a dollar value on a child’s self esteem and potential? If it could be measured, we’d certainly want to know how much self-esteem was lost today because a fragile child was not noticed in an over-crowded class? How many units of it? What degree of inspiration was squashed because a teacher was forced to deal with a child with an undiagnosed severe emotional disorder? What volume of creativity was lost this week for a child who was waiting and waiting for the teacher to provide some one-on-one guidance with a great piece of writing?
Does none of this matter to the economists?
How many units of self-worth were on the line when a seven-year-old boy told me, “I’m not good at reading. I’m really bad at writing.” Can you measure it? No. But all teachers and their EAs can sense it. Indeed, there can be no dollar value. These things are far too precious.
I dare anyone, put a dollar value on a child’s self-esteem and potential. That’s what class composition and class size is ultimately reduced to…how much proper attention each child in the class is receiving. That’s what the Liberals are trying to take away as they appeal our court rulings.
To Mr. Yap, remember your heart, remember my face as I sobbed to you in anger, tell Ms. Clark what I told you: That we are failing those children (disabled, gifted, average, all of them) by choosing to allow the system to erode… And maybe even, come spend a full day in a classroom, as an observer, rather than just as an MLA guest during the Grade 5 study of government. Watch how those teachers and EAs juggle the day and manage to inspire and challenge the kids, despite the unnecessary constraints.
Investing in children is the most important insurance policy we carry. Any economist will tell you it’s unwise to have no insurance. We will pay the price someday. We will be sorry.
Providing B.C.’s children the best education possible is the ultimate investment in the economy, and the hallmark of social justice.
Mary Yoshihara,
Richmond
