Organizers of an international education program that brings dozens of Korean students to Squamish to learn English every year says the program is benefiting the whole community.
But Howe Sound Teachers Association (HSTA) president Carl Walker said that concerns still remain among teachers despite improvements and better communication with the program co-ordinators.
Teachers now receive more information prior to students' arrival, but the HSTA say that some of the students are too young and that all international students should be in home stays as opposed to the existing dormitory settings.
"We don't think that it's a culturally enriching experience to be living in separate settings," he said. The union also believes that education should be publicly funded and should not rely on private sources of funding for a public system.
Delegates to the B.C. Teachers' Federation annual general meeting voted overwhelmingly Sunday (March 20) against the programs that have popped up in 40 of the Lower Mainland's 60 school districts, calling them exploitation. The BCTF denounced the programs as cash grabs that leave children "scared stiff" in "appalling conditions".
Chae Lee has been a Korean liaison between School District 48 and a Korean-based foreign language school for four years, and teachers have criticized his program as being too hard on students, some as young as nine. But during the past year, open communication between teachers and Lee has eased tension, despite anonymous complaints that caused numerous authorities such as social services and the fire department to visit the three homes housing 77 students. Each agency gave the students' living conditions passing grades.
"I think it's working great," said Lee. "But if there's something wrong, we should solve it. We should co-operate. I also live in Squamish, and as a member of the community, I believe we should make this better for all of us."
On top of regular schooling, students attend two hours of ESL in the afternoon, and three hours of Korean schooling in the evenings Monday to Thursday. The workload can be up to 12 hours a day, breaking only for meals.
Lee and ESL teacher Sherry Bujold says having fun is also important. Weekends are full of fun-filled activities that not only expose the kids to everything Squamish has to offer, but brings in thousands of dollars in revenue to businesses each year. Lee estimates that the school spends approximately $1 million locally every year for various activities such as staying at Camp Summit to pizza night as well as for buying furniture, appliances and winter boots.
School district principal Mike Weeks said that he doesn't know about the rest of the Lower Mainland, but the program works for everyone concerned in SD 48.
"We're not doing it just for the money. I'm amazed at how much it's given us," said Weeks. "It adds to the flavour of the school, to the culture of the school. And we also give them good opportunities. They come here for a reason; because we offer a good education."
Weeks said he was skeptical at first, but he's now proud to have the program in his district. He said adjustments were made that included teachers' input, such as reducing the number of Korean students from five to three students per class to encourage integration.
Valleycliffe Elementary teacher Jutta L'Hirondelle says that regular meetings with Lee have created a positive atmosphere.
"The system is changing, communication is developing," she said, adding that she feels the teachers are being heard. "The process is evolving, concerns are being addressed."
