VICTORIA - British Columbia continues to have a world-class education system and this year government has taken steps to make it even better.

New, expanded and renovated schools opened their doors to students and the Province broke ground on projects that will become cornerstones for communities across B.C. Student completion rates continued to rise and there has also been an improvement in Aboriginal student success. For the first time, government launched a provincewide public engagement strategy on BC's Education Plan, which will help shape the future of education in British Columbia so that students can all reach their full potential.

These are just a few examples of significant progress made by government in the last year to improve the lives of British Columbians and their families by creating and protecting jobs, by becoming more open and transparent, and by continuing to be fiscally responsible in these uncertain economic times.

In the year ahead, the Province will continue to engage with the public and its stakeholders to make decisions that will shape the future of education in B.C., moving toward a personalized, 21st-century learning model. Government will soon be announcing a comprehensive anti-bullying strategy, which will help create safer, more inclusive schools for B.C.'s kids. New schools, additions, renovations and upgrades will be completed, more neighbourhood learning centres will open their doors to families and new school projects will be initiated throughout the province to benefit B.C. families for years to come.

Quotes:

George Abbott, Minister of Education -

"I'm very proud of the hard work and commitment shown by staff, students, teachers and our education partners throughout the province."

"We have a lot to be proud of and many accomplishments to reflect on, but much work to do in the year ahead. I look forward to continuing to work together with all education partners to improve our education system."

Mike Hooker, principal, Revelstoke Secondary school -

"Having a beautiful new facility, one that feels good to students and is equipped with 21st century learning tools, enhances our opportunities for connecting students to their learning path and to their ultimate success, whatever form that success takes."

- talking about the new, state-of-the-art Revelstoke Secondary school, opened in November 2011

Quick Facts:

Significant accomplishments for education in British Columbia this year include:

* Launching BC's Education Plan, including provincewide online engagement tools for parents, teachers, students and other education partners to share their ideas and input.

* Abbott took the concept of public engagement to heart, reaching out to students, teachers and education administrators in 73 schools across 26 school districts since March.

* Introduced legislation to establish a 15-member British Columbia Teachers' Council and create a more accountable and transparent teacher regulation system that will better protect children and put the public interest first.

* $300 million committed for new schools or school additions to address enrolment pressures in seven school districts, creating an estimated 1,850 jobs.

* $8 million over two years for new school playgrounds, playground reimbursements, and playground upgrades, repairs and replacements.

* Successfully completed the implementation of full-day kindergarten (FDK) for all eligible children throughout the province in September, which was supported by an additional $144.5 million investment to re-purpose existing school spaces and create new classrooms in 2011-12.

* Celebrated the opening of seven new and replacement schools, including the $39.9 million investment in the state-of-the-art Revelstoke Secondary school, which features one of the province's first Neighbourhood Learning Centres.

* Announcement of several major school projects, including the $57.8 million restoration project for Kitsilano Secondary school, and the $50.1 million investment for Oak Bay Secondary replacement school. Both will include a neighbourhood learning centre.

* Completed 14 seismic upgrading projects.

* $520,000 invested for 10 new StrongStart BC programs reaching rural communities throughout the province.

* Revised the funding formula to increase support for vulnerable students, rural and remote elementary schools, and small school districts.

* Changed the name of the English as a Second Language program to English Language Learning, in direct response to the voices of immigrant students in the province.

Learn More:

To learn more about education in B.C. visit: www.gov.bc.ca/bced

To read about BC's Education Plan and get involved in the conversation, visit: www.bcedplan.ca

Contact:

Ministry of Education

Government Communications and Public Engagement

250 356-5963 (media line)

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect