Education Minister George Abbott signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Huangpu Education Bureau and B.C. officials met with the Minhang Education Bureau, paving the way for two new B.C.-certified offshore schools in Shanghai.

The MOU with the Huangpu Education Bureau marks the final stage of the groundwork towards certification next year of a B.C.-certified offshore school at Luwan Senor High School. Luwan Senior High was established in 1953, currently has nearly 1,300 students, and specializes in science education that attracts students from across Shanghai. Last spring, students from Luwan won awards at the VEX Robotics Competition World Championship in Dallas. The B.C.-certified school will accommodate students from grades 10 to 12.

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The meeting of B.C. officials with the Minhang Education Bureau continues their work towards an MOU for a B.C.-certified elementary program at Shang Yin Primary School to complement their B.C. secondary program at Shanghai United International's Jiao Ke Campus. The elementary program will offer the B.C. curriculum to students from kindergarten to Grade 9 and hire B.C.-certified teachers and administrators. One of the stated goals of the school is, "to have students achieve considerable understanding of Canada, its culture, and how our two nations, China and Canada, can work together."

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Earlier in the day, Minister Abbott took a walking tour of the China International Education Exhibition, the largest education recruitment fair in China. The fair attracts 20,000 students and parents and hundreds of participating organizations profiling opportunities to study abroad. A number of B.C. organizations participated in the fair, including:

• Abbotsford School District
• Coquitlam School District
• Delta School District
• Abbotsford Christian School
• International Language Schools of Canada
• Douglas College
• Vancouver Community College
• Royal Roads University
• University of British Columbia
• University of Northern British Columbia
• University of the Fraser Valley

In support of B.C.'s International Education Strategy, Minister Abbott is in China to establish new relationships and enhance existing ones with the goal of increasing the number of international students studying in B.C. and in B.C.-offshore schools.

Quotes:

Education Minister George Abbott -

"There is a growing awareness in China that its education system must be outward looking. A growing number of their students want to come to B.C. to study or attend one of our B.C.-certified offshore schools. This is a real win-win for Chinese students and B.C.'s K-12 system."

"Over the past ten years we've been working to build relationships and opportunities in China. We have 16 applications for new B.C. certified schools in the works, including the agreement signed today. That speaks to the success of our efforts and the high regard B.C.'s education system is held abroad."

Quick Facts:

• Overseas, there are 8,500 students enrolled in 29 B.C.-certified offshore schools; of these, 24 schools are in China.
• These schools deliver the B.C. curriculum with B.C. teachers and offer B.C. Dogwood Graduation Diplomas.
• There are more than 300 B.C. certified teachers and administrators working in B.C. offshore schools in China.
• In 2010/11, 944 students graduated from B.C. certified offshore schools.
• B.C.'s first MOU with the Chinese National Ministry of Education was signed in 2003. Since then the total has grown to 17, including the MOU announced today.

Learn More at:

Information for International Students: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/en/themes/education/international_students/index.page

Contact:

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