Minister of Education George Abbott released the following statement on the British Columbia Teachers' Federation's application to the Labour Relations Board:

As part of Education Week, Education Minister George Abbott has announced a $368,000 New Teacher Mentoring Project. This project supports teacher collaboration as a pillar of BC's Education Plan.

The B.C. government is doubling the Learning Improvement Fund (LIF) from $30 million to $60 million for the coming school year, Education Minister George Abbott announced today at a meeting of school superintendents and board chairs.

On the eve of Education Week, Education Minister George Abbott spoke with student leaders at the spring meeting of BC Student Voice to highlight successes from BC's Education Plan, promote student engagement and announce that $10.7 million in new funding will support the plan by helping school districts enhance foundational skills like reading.

In line with the provisions of Bill 22 - the Education Improvement Act, government has appointed Dr. Charles Jago to mediate contract talks between the BC Teachers' Federation (BCTF) and the BC Public School Employers' Association (BCPSEA).

Minister of Education George Abbott has made the following statement: "I am pleased the Phase 1 job action is over. Parents and students expect schools to return to normal and school districts to co-ordinate report cards as soon as possible.