A BC Liberal Government will continue to strive for excellence in literacy and education and accountability for results. New efficiencies will be sought to redirect savings from administration to new performance incentives that will be developed through the Learning Roundtable. We will launch a major education review to be sure we are putting up-to-date tools in the hands of parents and teachers that will work for all our children. We want every child to be excited by learning.

The Foundation Skills Assessment will remain an important part of our plan. We will also launch a comprehensive curriculum review to identify areas needing more attention, including a new focus on climate change, Aboriginal history, personal health and personal financial planning. The education of today must reflect the best research we have on child learning and teaching practices. We will work to ensure each dollar is being put to the best use in each classroom and parents will help shape the educational strategies of the decades ahead.

Parents also want new tools to help improve school safety and property protection for their kids. A BC Liberal Government will give parents, teachers and principals the right to decide through School Planning Councils whether video surveillance cameras should be installed in their schools to help protect students and their property.

All day, voluntary five-year-old kindergarten will be established and the plan for its development will include early childhood education expansion for interested teachers. Eventually, voluntary preschool opportunities will be established for four-year olds, as the economy starts to grow again.

We will continue to establish StrongStart Centres in schools across the province. This will help families and children get ready for exceptional educational experiences and will ensure our kids are ready for their school experiences.

The Neighbourhoods of Learning program, that we initiated last year, has captured the imaginations of a number of Boards of Education across the province. The Neighbourhoods of Learning model will be expanded and developed in concert with parents, community groups, Boards of Education and City Councils who are interested.