THE BC Liberals said on Thursday that school boards across the province are in danger of having to cut staff and services because John Horgan and the NDP are refusing to keep them whole during the pandemic.

“It’s mind-blowing that the NDP think clawing back money from schools is the right thing to do,” said BC Liberal candidate Dan Davies, who is seeking re-election in Peace River North. “School districts need more support as they try and find new ways to deliver safe instruction and what does the NDP do? They cut funding — it’s absurd.”

If enrollment is down, the NDP is reducing the amount of funding available to school districts. This comes after the NDP slashed $12 million from the Independent Distance Learning budget earlier this year, the BC Liberals said.

The North Okanagan-Shuswap School District, as an example, now faces a deficit of $2 million, with more staff reductions expected to take place to deal with their funding cuts.

“Parents, students, and teachers all expect a safe learning environment, one where they feel safe and supported,” said Shuswap BC Liberal candidate Greg Kyllo. “The NDP failed to plan for the return to school, failed to provide a hybrid learning model for all students, and now is taking money directly out of classrooms. They need to make these school districts whole and let them focus on education.”