VICTORIA - The British Columbia Teachers' Federation (BCTF) has initiated a full withdrawal of non-essential services, which is expected to impact the last nine days of school and possibly summer programs.

The Ministry of Education and the British Columbia Public School Employers Association (BCPSEA) want to assure parents that every effort is being made to ensure the strike does not disadvantage students, nor delay their transition to the next grade or on to post-secondary. 

Here is some information on what parents should expect:

What this means for students in kindergarten through Grade 9:

* Schools have been closed beginning Monday, June 16th.
* Parents with children who need supervision should make child-care arrangements.
* Report cards are not deemed an essential service; school districts will determine what information they are able to provide, but parents should not expect the usual year-end reporting.
* Parents should have a good sense of their children's progress from previous communications with teachers and report cards issued throughout the year.
* Most parents can assume their child will be progressing to the next grade.
* In the few cases where school administrators have concerns about the child's progress, they will contact parents directly.

What this means for students in grades 10, 11 and 12:

* Expect secondary schools to be open only for the purpose of administering provincial exams.
* Provincial exams for grades 10, 11 and 12 are proceeding as scheduled.
* Normal school bus service will continue for the purpose of transporting students to provincial exams.
* Grade 12 exams will be marked in July and the Official Transcript of Grades will be provided to students by the end of July as per normal practice and schedule.
* School report cards are not deemed an essential service; school districts will determine how to best convey relevant information, students' progress, available class marks, and provincial exam results.
* For grades 10 and 11, expect delays in receiving information about final course grades.

What this means for graduating students planning to attend post-secondary in September:

* Since Grade 12 students will receive their Official Transcript of Grades as per normal practice and schedule, there should be no delay making final grades available to post-secondary institutions.

What this means for special needs students:

* If already planned or scheduled, teachers will continue to provide information and participate in the assessments of special needs designations for students. 

What this means for summer school:

* In the event the BCTF strike continues, it remains to be determined whether summer school will be able to proceed as scheduled.
* The Ministry and BCPSEA will continue to monitor developments and will remain in close contract with school districts who will in turn update parents and students as new information becomes available.

Learn More:

For more information on teacher bargaining, visit: http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2014/02/teacher-bargaining-information.html or http://www.bcpsea.bc.ca/

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement Ministry of Education
250 356-5963