Vaheguru ji ka khalsa,

Vaheguru ji ki fatheh!

Last night the BC Teachers Federation members voted with a 77% majority to accept mediator Vince Ready’s recommendations for reconciliation of conflicts between the over 38, 000 BC teachers and the provincial government on public education. The BCTF executives and president, Jinny Sims, had earlier recommended teachers to accept Ready’s recommendations although some teachers viewed that the situation would not improve despite the two-week long publicity battle. After such a tough struggle, teachers, parents and students alike hope that all the effort and hard work should have made some difference. The first few days, if not weeks, after the strike will take adjustment and challenges, especially for the students who had previously been behind in their studies and now would have further learning struggles. However, if the government delivers on their agreement to the recommendations, and institutes policies and funding to reduce class sizes across grades 4 through 12, perhaps there will be more help on the way for students that have learning disabilities and for school districts with over crowded classrooms. It is yet to be seen what the future holds, but it is for certain that this is the most public attention that the BC education system has received in years.

If you’re not comfortable with the way things have gone over the course of the strike, you might want to consider enrolling your child at a private school. Public schools are a great part of our education system, but for Sikh children going through adolescence it is usually a good idea to send them to Khalsa School. At least in their development years (age 10 to 15), faith-based education can instill good values and knowledge of their heritage in young people so that they can make better informed decisions in the future. The exposure to the Khalsa School environment would also take place at the crucial time when many kids pick up the wrong types of friends and the wrong types of habits. Not to say they can’t find wrong friends at Khalsa School, but the environment has far less prevalent drug, alcohol and dating problems when compared to other schools. And this year Khalsa School received recognition as one of the top schools in BC.

And then there are the Gurmat Schools. The Gurmat schools are by far the best service available to the youth in BC, if not Canada. They never go on strike, they are volunteer-operated, and they are very affordable. They fit within the schedule of regular schooling, and the homework load is usually not so much so even a grade 11 or 12 student could attend. Check out Guru Nanak Academy, Shan-E-Khalsa Gurmat Academy, or Gurmat Center today and find out what the BC Gurmat schools can do to help your child enrich their life. Courses include Punjabi, Keertan, Tabla, Gurbani Santhiya, and Sikh History.

What are your thoughts? Please share them with us by leaving your comments here - or by e-mailing sikhyouth@shaw.ca

Vaheguru ji ka khalsa,

Vaheguru ji ki fatheh!