MORE THAN
$144-MILLION INVESTMENT DELIVERS FULL-DAY K
VICTORIA – An investment of more than $144
million and a new, six-step action plan will provide the 665 new classrooms
needed to accommodate full-day kindergarten in September 2011, Premier Gordon
Campbell and Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid announced today.
“Research shows
that a high quality, play-based kindergarten program develops the academic and
social skills that help children succeed in school and in life,” said Premier
Campbell. “These new facilities will help us meet our commitment to provide
full-day kindergarten for five year olds to support children and working
families.”
The six-step
action plan has been put in place to guide the delivery of classroom space for
the approximately 40,000 students expected to enter full-day kindergarten in
2011. The six steps include:
·
133 newly designed modular classrooms.
·
New classroom space created by:
o
A new school in Langley
o
New school space within the Enerplex in Fort St.
John.
·
Additions to 21 schools in the Lower Mainland,
Capital Regional District, Campbell River and Central Okanagan.
·
Renovations to the resource centre next to
Cataline Elementary school in Williams Lake.
·
The re-opening of Anne McClymont Primary in
Kelowna.
·
Approximately $10 million to furnish and equip
classrooms, including the conversion of existing surplus classrooms to full-day
kindergarten.
“This critical
investment in early learning is an investment in our province’s future – our
children,” said MacDiarmid. “In doing so, we are serious about finding
efficiencies in every part of the education sector, which is why we have issued
a proposal call for the modular construction project on behalf of districts to
bulk purchase and reduce costs.”
A request for
proposals for the construction of the modular classrooms was issued today. A
centralized procurement and construction process will ensure cost efficiency
and a common, high-quality standard for each new modular.
The $144.5-million
capital investment is being provided in addition to B.C.’s three-year,
$280-million commitment to implement full-day kindergarten for all eligible
children by September 2011. Full-day
kindergarten will be available for up to 50 per cent of kindergarten students
in 2010 and for every five-year-old starting school in 2011.
Since 2001, the
Province has spent more than $1.7 billion to complete 80 new and replacement schools,
148 additions, 26 renovation projects and 22 site acquisitions across B.C. All
new and replacement schools have been constructed to meet the latest seismic
standards. By the end of 2009-10, the Province will have committed more than
$3.8 billion in school capital and maintenance projects across the province. As
outlined by Premier Campbell, all new school construction projects will include
B.C. wood in their construction whenever possible.
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