Investigation into why some B.C. kids are being denied full-time education launched by Ombudsperson

Complaints from parents who say their children with special need are being denied access to full-time education are now being investigated by the Ombudsperson.

Last fall, five-year-old Daniel Gardner, who is blind and lives with epilepsy and autism, started kindergarten in Nanaimo.

“Daniel is so curious and so exploratory. He has made friends and made connections,” said his mom Ashley.

But at first, Daniel was only able to attend two days a week because of a lack of trained educational assistants at his school. He was only allowed to begin full-time classes in early October, after his mom lobbied the school district and took her story public.

“This is a huge systemic problem, this is across the province. It’s happening at all grade levels in all school districts,” said Ashley.

“I hear from parents who are fighting these exhausting battles in silos. They are educators that are working with them, trying to do their best with the limited resources that they have.”

On Tuesday, BC Ombudsperson Jay Chalke announced he’s launched an investigation into the exclusion of some students from the K-12 public education system.

“Over the years, we’ve received individual complaints from parents and families that their child has been excluded, perhaps for reasons of disruptive behavior, or that the school district simply didn’t have the resources to provide that extra bit of support to keep somebody in school. But inclusive education demands that,” said Chalke.

His investigation will determine how widespread the problem is, and what can be done to ensure all BC children can access a full-time public education, regardless of ability.

“I’m really hoping that the investigation not only brings to light these battles that we’re all fighting, but it also puts a little bit of motion in place to see some change in the long term,” said Ashley.

Parents who want to contribute to the investigation are being encouraged to contact the BC Ombudsman’s office. Gardner is eager to participate, and has a message for other parents fighting to get their children the full-time K-12 education they are legally entitled to.

“You don’t have to fight this alone,” she said. “If there are ways to participate in this investigation, please get on board.”