B.C. budget committee highlights need for adequate education funding

VICTORIA – British Columbia’s all-party finance committee is calling for adequate funding to support education.

It released a budget consultation report Friday with 63 recommendations and says education is a top concern among British Columbians.

The committee recommends the Finance Ministry provide stable and adequate funding to school districts in order to provide quality education.

Committee chairman and Liberal Scott Hamilton says the committee held public hearings in eight communities during the fall and received 572 submissions, one third of them related to education.

The committee also recommends the government restore full funding to adult basic education and English as a second language programs.

Finance Minister Mike de Jong is set to table the provincial budget in February.