Editor:
An open letter to the Minister of Education:
Today, I tried to register both my children (for summer school programs) who attend independent schools in Burnaby. They attend John Knox Christian. My daughter Olivia is in high school and my son in elementary school.
It has always been a more difficult process to register for summer school because we attend an independent school, but this year we were told that summer school only applies to children in public school.
I thought that this was a terrible decision. I don't understand why children who attend independent schools have to be penalized? It has been difficult having them at home trying to navigate through home school.
They have been stuck behind screens for a few months, it is very disappointing to know that the opportunity to be with children and learn in a classroom environment was not allowed to them because they attend an independent school.
We would have liked to have had the same opportunity as all residents in Burnaby who pay taxes. This is absolutely ridiculous and extremely disappointing to be discriminated against because we chose to send our children to an independent Christian school.
I hope that there is a reasonable explanation for this decision made by the ministry.
Sandra Lambert Wong, Burnaby
