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Media Contacts

Ministry of Education

Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 356-5963

Backgrounders

Facts about SOGI-inclusive education in B.C.
  • The $350,000 in new funding is part of $8.87 million in new funding over the next three years announced by Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and Fleming on Sept. 4, 2019, in Victoria. By providing B.C. schools with access to enhanced wellness supports and programs, the funding will help make mental health and wellness a top priority for students, families and educators.
  • LGBT2SQ students are subject to higher levels of bullying, cyberbullying and discrimination, and are at higher risk of mental health issues, including suicide.
  • The B.C. SOGI Educator Network was formally launched as a pilot project at the beginning of the 2016-17 year by ARC Foundation. In just over two school years, it has grown from nine to 60 districts.
  • The network brings together B.C. educators interested in SOGI-inclusive education and enables them to meet, share resources and co-design programs.
  • Members of the Provincial K-12 SOGI Collaborative include:
    • Ministry of Education
    • ARC Foundation
    • B.C. Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils
    • B.C. Principals and Vice-Principals Association
    • B.C. School Superintendents Association
    • B.C. School Trustees Association
    • B.C. Teachers’ Federation (BCTF)
    • Canadian Union of Public Employees
    • First Nations Education Steering Committee
    • First Nations Schools Association
    • Federation of Independent School Associations
    • B.C. Association of School Business Officials
  • Members of the collaborative will identify, support and provide advice on a variety of projects that will help facilitate SOGI-inclusive education and policies in B.C. schools. The group will support the development of new SOGI resources, will offer professional development and training opportunities to administrators, educators, trustees and parents, and will facilitate information sharing on best practices between schools and school districts for the benefit of all B.C. students.
  • SOGI 123 is a resource that provides schools and teachers with ready-to-use, grade-level appropriate materials that align with B.C.’s new curriculum. It was developed by the ARC Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, BCTF and other provincial K-12 education partners, the University of British Columbia’s faculty of education, school districts and local, national and international LGBTQ community organizations.
  • All of B.C.’s 60 school districts have SOGI-inclusive codes of conduct and independent schools have SOGI-inclusive harassment and bullying prevention policies in place.