It would seem that BC school districts now need to be concerned about saving space for the "possible" full day kindergarten programs that will be coming their way:
From: B.C. reverses view on school closures
The B.C. Education Ministry has abruptly changed its message on school closures and is now urging school boards to think long and hard before shutting more schools.
For years, the ministry has been pressing boards to reduce capacity due to declining enrolments, and trustees responded by closing more than 150 schools around the province. Now, however, the ministry is telling boards they may well need extra space if a government proposal for expanded kindergarten goes ahead.
More on the full day kindergarten proposal was written this week in The Province in response to the consultation that is currently underway.
From: Victoria mulls all-day kindergarten in The Province
The controversial proposal, up for public debate until July 18, is under review by the Ministry of Education after the government committed to a feasibility study in February’s throne speech.
The proposal comes as wait times for daycare facilities grow longer, and studies show that one-quarter of B.C. kids who arrive at kindergarten are not developmentally ready.
The new classes could also provide a solution to the problem of declining enrolment that has seen numerous B.C. schools closed in recent years.Bond said that while the cost and format of the possible program are still being researched, the throne speech stipulated full-day kindergarten would be considered for 2009, with optional pre-kindergarten for four-year-olds by 2010 and three-year-olds by 2012. Half-day kindergarten is currently optional in B.C.
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