That was the advice offered by representatives of Okanagan University College Tuesday morning to the provincial government's Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. The committee was in Penticton, holding the first of two Okanagan hearings.
Education is a priority equal to health care.
Medicine can look after our citizens' health today, but education addresses the future health of the economy and the body politic. In a brief 10-minute presentation, accompanied by a binder of resource materials, Eby and OUC President Dr. Katy Bindon outlined how a disparity had arisen in per capita expenditures over the past decade, as provincial spending on per secondary education has risen. And that disparity in the growth can be found even if you focus on 18-34 year olds, she said. In a region where educational attainment is significantly below the provincial average, we have a good distance to go to create the accessible and affordable post-secondary educational opportunities needed. If we can't afford to offer programs, if course wait lists continue to grow, students are either not going to be able to get into the university college or, if they do, they will have to spend more time here getting the courses they need.