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).

The British Columbia Public School Employers' Association (BCPSEA) board of directors has ratified two-year collective agreements for support staff in another nine school districts under the government's 2010 net-zero mandate, bringing the total up to 40 agreements covering about 18,300 employees.

During the January to April semester, 200 B.C. nursing students received a total of $400,000 in Nurses Education Bursaries that will help them with their education-related expenses.

A week remains to show your support for Dry Grad celebrations throughout the province, Until March 31, BC Liquor Store customers can donate $1 or more to Support Dry Grad celebrations in their communities.

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.