‘We can’t do this anymore’: B.C. parents speak out as ombudsperson investigation into student exclusion begins

Parents are speaking out after an investigation launched by B.C.'s ombudsperson into the exclusion of some students from the K-12 public school system.

Kerri Darby has two daughters in the Langley school district, both requiring individualized support she says they are not getting.

“It is torture forcing your kids to go to school knowing they are unsupported,” explains Darby.

Her 11-year-old daughter Taylor was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and dyslexia, while her 9-year-old daughter Madison was diagnosed with autism and ADHD.

Darby says her children frequently don’t feel comfortable attending school or leave early due to a lack of counselling support, education assistants, and speech and language services as outlined by their evaluation.

“Your child doesn’t need that, that’s not something we offer, we don’t have enough staffing, other children need it more,” Darby says are some of the reasonings behind the lack of supports she hears from the school principal.

Darby has now hired private tutors for both of her children to ensure they can keep up with their studies.

“Parents are going broke paying for private tutoring. We are looking at approximately $800 per child per month, so $1,600 per month.”

She is one of many who has filled out a survey by the B.C. ombudsperson as part of an investigation into the exclusion of some students from B.C.’s K-12 public education system.

Jay Chalke launched the investigation last Tuesday to determine how widespread the problem is and what can be done to ensure all B.C. children can access a full-time public education, regardless of ability.

“We’ve had a tremendous response to that and soon we will be reaching out to school districts specifically but also to teachers, teacher assistants and the relevant unions”, explains Chalke.

“If we find unfairness, we make recommendations for change and that is principal and practical suggestions to the school districts and the ministry.”

Chalke’s sentiment was echoed by parents and teachers Tuesday morning at a press conference in Surrey, urging the province to take action.

“The path to exclusion comes in small micro decisions where students that are on the fringe are not centered in conversation”, says Anne Whitmore, Surrey District Parents Advisory Council president.

For Darby, help can’t come soon enough, forcing her to make difficult decisions to ensure her children are receiving what they need.

“We have to leave. We can’t do this anymore. Even though it’s not financially within our reach to afford private school,” she said.

The ombudsperson is now accepting submissions from families as the investigation gets underway.

There is no timeline as to when it will be wrapped up.