‘Is Heinrich listening?

|

}

The following is an open letter to the Minis-
ter of Education, Jack Heinrich.
___ Sol Jackson, Vancouver, writes: I am writ-
_ Ing to you because you and our MLAs were
| not at the May 16 hearing at Killarney High
School to listen to the many briefs presented
on your proposals to change secondary
_ School graduation requirements.

Many organizations representing schools
boards, teachers, parents and others were
there to tell you (almost unanimously) to
cancel the proposal to “stream” students,

and instead set up a commission to study
changes to the education system which
. reflect the needs of students.

___ Was it a hearing? Who was listening? A
number of speakers wondered aloud if the
whole “public participation” process was a
sham. Is your ministry going to take into
Consideration the views of the people who
spoke before implementing the proposals?
Oris the government going to carry out the
changes against the people’s wishes and ride
out the storm as with the exams which were
imposed earlier this year?

— Ispoke on behalf ily, si
2 of my family, since we
. discussed your “white paper” and the
seagerise we felt obliged to make. We have
ive children, one a teacher and two still in
school.
We are concerned tha
t changes are
needed but the proposals being made by

your ministry do not re dent
se spond to stude

___ Our family is interested in the arts. All
‘our children were and are involved in the
music programs in school. We do not look
on these activities as frills, but as basic skills
which will serve them well in the future.

Your ministry ordered a $16 million cut
in the Vancouver School Board budget
1984-86. That will adversely affect every
student now and in the future, especially
students in the English as a Second Lan-
guage (ESL) Program, who constitute 46
per cent of the Vancouver student popula-
tion. Their future opportunities will be
limited because of the financial cuts to the
ESL program. j

Changes which encourage dropping out
of school are not improvements to the sys-
tem. More drop-outs will bring more juve-
nile delinquency and more social problems.

Is this program designed to increase
drop-outs to reduce the costs of education?
If so, the costs will only be transferred to the
ministries of Human Resources and the
Attorney-General.

You must cancel the proposed changes in
graduation requirements and set up a
commission to study changes to the educa-
tion system which reflect the needs of stu-
dents today and the hopes of society
tomorrow.

{Keep Family
Place open’

Susan Lockhart, Vancouver East
COPE Committee writes: The Com-
mittee of Progressive Electors (COPE)
Vancouver East committee was most
dismayed to learn of the Ministry of
Human Resources’ decision to cease
funding the Eastside Family Place as.
of Aug. 31, 1984. Family Place has
cost the ministry very little, depending
as it does on volunteers and other
fund raising sources. In return for the
small amount of support the MHR
has given, the neighborhood has been
provided with a much needed service.

In these times of long term unem-
ployment and rising expenses, young.
families have been under extreme
stress. Family Place gives parents and
children an alternative: a place to go
and socialize, to take classes, to meet
other young families and to get help
when needed. Our community needs
Eastside Family Place.

’ We demand that the MHR reverse
its decision and continue to fund
Family Place. We urge individuals
and community groups to write to
Human Resources Minister Grace .
Gee and express their pee

WCC bigotry is ominous

Dan Frankham, Victoria, writes: What
does it take to prevent racial, national and
spiritual hatred being used against people in
their struggle to earn a good standard of
living and a decent way of life?

The charter of rights and freedoms does
nothing to prevent bigots from using hate
tactics against people. To be effective the
charter must include a paragraph making it

| Feveration of Russian CANavians
Banquet & Concert with guest artists

Sunday, June 24, 1984
Banquet at 5 p.m., Concert following

Russian People’s Home
600 Campbell Avenue

Admission: $8 per person
For further information, please call: 253-8180, 420-5886, 255-6488

illegal to attack people and groups on the
basis of their national origins, the language
they do or do not speak, and the various
spiritual beliefs they may hold.

So far as I know, the Conservative, Lib-
eral and New Democratic parties have not
used such hate tactics in their campaigns.
But the Western Canada Concept bigots
did so in their demonstration against Jean
Chretien. 3

I’m not expressing support for any one of
the political parties mentioned above, but I
do want to express the thought that-allow-

__ ing fascist-like actions such as those used by
the Western Canada Concept party is det-
rimental to the interests of our country.

It is not that I believe the Western Can-
ada Concept party will gain any massive
support from the Canadian people. Hitler
did not gain massive support at the start of

_ his political career from the German people;
but because of the pacifism of the German

people, he rose to power and used his Nazi -

organization to crush all opposition — the
Jews, labor organizations, religious bodies
and people who dared to act against domi-
nation and terror.

We need to suppress fascism now, for
after it has matured to a powerful force it
will not be beaten without terrible cost in life
and bloodshed.

Pacific Tribune
VICTORY BANQUET

Saturday, June 23
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Banquet at 6:30 p.m.

Dance to The Bob Wishinski Band
Russian People’s Home, 600 Campbell Avenue, Vancouver
| _ Admission: $10, unemployed $7 :
Tickets available at Tribune office or People’s Co-op Bookstore

Classified
Advertising

COMING EVENTS

JUN. 16 — Peace Petition Caravan Campaign
signature day. Sponsored by the Vancouver
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JUN. 16 — Report on Guatemala. Solidarity
evening including newly-released video on
workers’ occupation of the Coca-Cola plant and
update report by Marta Torres, the union's
former legal adviser in Guatemala. 8 p.m. Cen-
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ings St. Latin music, snacks, refreshments.

JUN. 17 — Meet Tribune editor, Sean Griffin
& enjoy some strawberry shortcake from 2 p.m.
on at the Brown's. 12127-95A Ave., Surrey.
For directions, 581-5979. $3, $2 children. All
welcome. Proceeds to Tribune.

VICTORIA

JUN. 18 — The Federal Election, New People
of New policies? Hear Maurice Rush. B.C.
leader, CPC, 7:30 p.m. Union Centre, Hall B.
2750 Quadra Street.

JUN. 21 — NICARAGUA TODAY. Recent vis-
itor, slide show & discussion. Douglas College,
Maple Ridge campus. 11715 224 Street. For
info. 467-2888. Sponsored by Pacific Tribune.

JUN. 23 — VICTORY BANQUET, See display
ad. :

FOR RENT 3
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COMMERCIAL

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ROOF REPAIRS — New roofs. Reasonable.
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ELECTRICAL, plumbing, appliance repairs.
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GENERAL INSURANCE, auto, home, boat,
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ELECTRICAL WORK residential and com-
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LEGAL SERVICES

RANKIN, BOND, McMURRAY. Barristers
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HALLS FOR RENT
RUSSIAN PEOPLE’S HOME — Available for
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Available for banquets, weddings, meetings.
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Offers a broad range of
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Real Estate & Conveyancing
Divorce & Family Law

Labour Law

Criminal Law

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PACIFIC TRIBUNE, JUNE 13, 1984 e 11