The BC Ministry of Education has a vital role in recognizing and accommodating the diverse needs of our students. The Ministry considers giftedness a Special Needs designation for which districts are required to provide accommodation. 

My son, like many students in B.C., was born a highly able learner (“gifted”) which also comes with highly complex social-emotional needs that Burnaby’s Multi Age Cluster Class (MACC) and Beta Mini School programs have been designed to support. These programs are not mere optional additions to our education system; they are essential for nurturing children who often struggle in a regular classroom setting.

Gifted learners deserve the opportunity to develop in an environment that understands and adapts to their distinctive requirements. The decision to cut these essential programs in Burnaby, without any replacement accommodation, endangers our children's ability to not only achieve their full potential, but to become functioning members of society. Without proper support, gifted children can grow up to struggle with depression, anxiety, addiction, and poor resilience.

It is not a choice for my son to be gifted; it is a responsibility of our educational system to meet his needs per the BC Ministry of Education requirements.

The Ministry has recognized giftedness as a Special Needs designation in the past, mandating districts to provide adequate resources and accommodation. However, the recent move to dismantle these specialized programs in Burnaby without a solid plan for replacement is a concerning step backwards. It undermines not just the educational future of gifted children, but also the commitment that the province has made to offer tailored education solutions for ALL students.

We urge the Ministry of Education to uphold its duty by restoring and protecting funding for programs specifically designed for gifted learners in Burnaby. Without such measures, we leave a crucial segment of our student population without the support they require to flourish, academically and personally.

Parents, educators, and advocates are standing together to ask for accountability and action. It's time for the Ministry of Education to ensure that every child has access to education that is as unique and promising as they are. Sign this petition to support the restoration and protection of the MACC and Beta Mini School programs, and in doing so, support a brighter future for our youth.