News
Read the latest news in BC post-secondary education.
Literacy Funding Inadequate in Addressing Basic Education Needs
A recent BC Liberal announcement allocating funding for community adult literacy programs shortchanges the 25,000 Adult Basic Education students at the province’s public post-secondary institutions, say the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators and BC Federation of Students. Two years ago, the provincial government eliminated funding for adult basic education programming at post-secondary institutions in BC and…
Standing Committee on Finance Calls for Increased Post-Secondary Funding
Once again, the report of the BC Legislature’s Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services includes several of the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators’ recommendations to the committee. For the past several years, FPSE has been calling for a comprehensive review of the funding formula, the reinstatement of tuition-free Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English…
Join the Fight for Fairness
Today we start another week of activities marking Fair Employment Week, our annual effort to raise awareness of the plight of the precariously-employed workers in academia. Year after year, we hold days of action, write blog posts and scholarly articles, and do media interviews. Here in BC, we’ve had too many rounds of bargaining where…
B.C. Students Suffer as Tuition and Service Fees Continue to Spiral Upwards
The provincial government’s systematic reduction in funding over the past 15 years means an increasing number of young British Columbians are unable to access or afford the post-secondary education they need to prepare themselves for the careers of their choice, according to a position paper released today by the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators (FPSE). “We…
Labour Day 2016
For students and educators, Monday marks the end of summer and the start of a new school year. It’s time to celebrate Labour Day, to reflect on the work our unions do for us: the struggles for better wages and working conditions, the historic gains securing the social and economic well-being of our workers and…
Private Training Regulations Leave Students Vulnerable
September 1, 2016 Teachers at private ESL schools say the new Private Training Act taking effect today will still leave students vulnerable to school closures and to misrepresentation by third party agents. Last week the Vancouver English Centre closed without any notice to students – highlighting the need for stronger legislation. Through a consultation process…
English Teachers, Students Left Reeling by School Closure
Teachers at Vancouver English Centre showed up for mediation with their employer Friday, armed with proposals aimed at re-opening the school. They were shocked to discover the employer had given up, and has decided to close the school. The teachers, members of Education and Training Employees’ Association Local 9 (ETEA-9) and the Federation of Post-Secondary…
In Solidarity and Pride
We’re in the heart of Pride season in BC, and the Federation of Post-Secondary Educators is proud to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ2S community. Happy Pride from FPSE! As we celebrate Pride events across the province, we can’t forget that there is still work to be done. The horrific events that took place in…
FPSE Calls for Release of Dr. Homa Hoodfar
A Concordia University colleague, Professor Homa Hoodfar, has been detained by Iranian authorities since early June, and CBC now reports that she has been indicted. The charges have not been specified. President George Davison has sent this letter to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran calling for her release.
FPSE celebrates 20th Anniversary of National Aboriginal Day
Today in Canada, as we celebrate the beginning of summer, we are also celebrating the 20th anniversary of National Aboriginal Day. First proclaimed by then-Governor-General Romeo LeBlanc in 1996, this day was created after years of requests by and consultation with indigenous organizations, as a way to recognize the unique heritage and diverse cultures of…