Debate over B.C. private school funding reignited after new report findings

New research is raising questions about how education dollars are being spent in B.C.

Education is a top priority for families across British Columbia, whether their children attend public or private school.

But a new report is raising questions about how provincial funding is being distributed between the two systems.

Research from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) suggests private schools may be receiving a growing share of public funding—outpacing increases in the public system.

Senior researcher Andrew Longhurst found that in six of the last 10 years, public funding for private schools increased faster than public school funding.

According to the report, inflation-adjusted per-student spending in public schools has increased by 32 per cent since 1999-2000. In comparison, funding for private schools has risen by 50 per cent over the same period.

The analysis also suggests that public school spending, as a share of the province’s economy, has declined by 0.7 per cent over the past decade.

“We’re not increasing investment in public schools as the economy has grown,” Longhurst said. “And at the same time, private schools are continuing to see stable public funding.”

Longhurst’s report notes that B.C. started subsidizing private schools in 1977, while arguing there is “no justifiable reason—financially or ethically to keep funding private schools” at a time he says public schools are facing spending cuts by the provincial government.

Provincial reaction

B.C. Education Minister Lisa Beare pushed back on the report’s conclusions.

“I fundamentally disagree with the report’s premise and its conclusions,” Beare said.

She pointed to increased spending, saying the province now invests $8.3 billion in public education—up from $5 billion in 2017.

Beare added private school students make up just over 13 per cent of K-12 enrolment, while receiving about six per cent of total funding.

“Really, this is about choice for families and choice for parents,” she said.

That message is echoed by Shawn Chisholm, president of Federation of Independent Schools Association of BC.

Chisholm said families should be able to choose the education that best meets their needs, calling school choice a key part of B.C.’s “pluralistic society.”

He also pushed back on calls to eliminate funding, arguing it could increase costs.

“If funding was removed, most independent schools would cease operation,” he said. “Those students would then move into the public system, where they would be fully funded.”

Independent schools receive no capital funding, meaning the public system could face added pressure to build space for students, Chisholm added.

Debate continues in Western Canada

The question of whether private schools should receive public funding is not new.

A survey conducted in Alberta by ThinkHQ Public Affairs last year found 59 per cent of respondents supported ending public funding for private schools.

Only 26 per cent surveyed wanted to maintain the funding, while 15 per cent were undecided.

The results shift to 69 per cent in favour by removing the undecided vote.

That debate continues in British Columbia, where the provincial government signaled Thursday that its current funding model will remain in place.

Still, critics argue the system needs to be re-examined.

“It really doesn’t make sense to continue funding private schools with public dollars at a time when public schools are struggling to keep their heads above water,” Longhurst said.