B.C. Universities Graduate 2,300 New Teachers

More than 2,300 new teachers are graduating from eight B.C. universities this year, announced Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell.

• Most of the new teaching graduates will seek employment in British Columbia.
• Teachers on call help fill temporary vacancies due to teacher illness, extended leaves of absence and professional development days.
• 1,177 additional teachers were hired in B.C. this year.

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$2 Million for Arts and Sports Summer Camps

The Government will provide $2 million for students to attend 2010 Legacies Now Explorations arts, sport and recreation camps this summer, announced Education Minister Shirley Bond.

• More than 3,000 students in 34 school districts will have the opportunity to participate in camps run by schools and districts thanks to this funding.
• The funding builds on the $2.5 million invested last year and helps fulfill the government’s commitment to increase access to arts, music and physical activity.
• The camps are available for students in kindergarten through Grade 7 who normally would not have access to sports or arts programs.

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Province Hosts Education Conference

British Columbia is hosting a groundbreaking education conference that blends five themes by using webcasting technology to connect sites across B.C., announced Education Minister Shirley Bond.

• The conference, called Interactive Innovations: A Showcase of Learners and Learning, will feature renowned educator Dr. Ruby Payne and other keynote speakers, all of which can be heard regardless of which location participants choose to attend thanks to the webcasting technology.
• Dr. Payne will talk to participants about working with students from diverse backgrounds.  Her specialty is finding creative and practical solutions to help all students reach their goals.
• The five themes are: equitable futures, early learning, secondary-school learns, shared leadership and literacy.

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B.C. and Beijing Sign Investment Co-operation Agreement

A Memorandum of Co-operation in Investment was signed this week between the B.C. Government and the Beijing Investment Promotion Bureau, announced Economic Development Minister Colin Hansen.

• The Memorandum will help expand business opportunities, cultural understanding and maximize Olympic opportunities on both sides of the Pacific.
• The two sides also agree to organize future business and government meetings, at least once a year, to continue building on this Beijing-B.C. relationship.
• Minister Hansen is in Asia to promote investment and development opportunities in B.C. as well as ways to expand trade and tourism with the Asia-Pacific region.

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