Dear Editor:
The citizens of B.C. should be wary that we do not make the same mistakes that were made in the U.S. where they are unable to attract qualified teachers in several disciplines, especially mathematics and science, to teach in public schools due to less than competitive salaries with private industry.
Talented and creative young men and women graduating from our universities in these important disciplines will be encouraged to seek employment in commerce, technology and the sciences. The starting salaries in those fields are significantly more than a teacher with 10 years of experience can expect to earn in this province.
It is a documented factand major worry that the U.S. continually places in the bottom half of international assessments in mathematics, science and other disciplines. As a retired North Vancouver mathematics teacher and a former member of the board of directors of the U.S. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Ican attest that this is a major concern in that country, and I am bothered that our province could go in the same direction.
The majority of the other provinces recognize the importance of not falling behind in teacher salaries and benefits.
We should too.
Ian deGroot
North Vancouver
