B.C. Premier John Horgan made one of his first major announcements from Saanich91裸聊视频檚 Camosun College on Tuesday, stating his government will eliminate tuition fees on adult basic education and English language learning programs.
The announcement reverses action taken by the B.C. Liberals in 2015, which allowed education institutions to charge up to $1,600 per semester for full-time studies for adult learners. In turn, enrolment dropped by almost 35 per cent between the 2013-14 and 2016-17 school years.
Adult students who91裸聊视频檝e prepaid for basic education and English language courses for September will be refunded, Horgan said.
91裸聊视频淣ew Canadians who want a head start improving their language skills, students getting ready for university, adult learners going back to school to upgrade their skills to improve their opportunities or just getting a high school diploma, adult basic education should be free for everyone, it should be a right,91裸聊视频� Horgan said.
The cost to make basic education free again will be included in September91裸聊视频檚 budget.
The premier also confirmed NDP91裸聊视频檚 plan to end interest on student loans in B.C.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e actually going to reduce the [interest on] borrowing for student loans to zero, interest free, as well as a completion grant for those who have finished their education,91裸聊视频� said Horgan.
The grant will create an incentive to those who91裸聊视频檝e built up a large student debt during studies, to knock off as much as $1,000 from their balance when they finish, he added.
Both announcements are welcome news for the B.C. Federation of Students which has been pressing years for these changes.
91裸聊视频淎dults who want to go back to [high school] shouldn91裸聊视频檛 be charged for that,91裸聊视频� said Simka Marshall, chairperson for the B.C. Federation of Students. 91裸聊视频淭his is something we91裸聊视频檝e been campaigning for, we91裸聊视频檝e had 23 municipalities endorse our campaign calling for free adult education so this is a really welcome change.91裸聊视频�
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91裸聊视频淥ur province can91裸聊视频檛 afford to lose students who are keen to learn or advance their skills training in the post-secondary sector because of financial barriers,91裸聊视频� said Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training Melanie Mark. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 proud we91裸聊视频檙e taking this action to expand opportunities for ABE and ELL students to thrive in the workforce and achieve academic success.91裸聊视频�
Horgan also spoke to softwood lumber deal with the U.S. and to Oak Bay-Gordon Head MLA Andrew Weaver91裸聊视频檚 disapproval of Horgan91裸聊视频檚 upcoming golf tournament in Victoria that costs $500 per entry.
91裸聊视频淚 have spoken to [Weaver about it],91裸聊视频� Horgan said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 not a closed event, and anyway the cost largely goes to paying the green fees. [Fleming] and I have hosted this for a decade, it91裸聊视频檚 not secret, it91裸聊视频檚 not cash-for-access, anyone can join.91裸聊视频�
ragnar.haagen@bpdigital.ca
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