The nearly three-week strike at the start of the school year has the parents of some international students upset and wanting a refund from School District 43 for time lost due to the work-stoppage.
But they aren't likely to get money back because of the terms of an agreement they signed.
Several parents who paid $13,000 to have their Korean-born children go to school in SD43 this year protested in front of the school board office last week and more than 100 have signed a petition calling for a $1,000 refund to cover lost school days.
But all signed an agreement acknowledging the district is not liable for losses or expenses in the event of a labour dispute.
Still, the parents say they want to be treated the same as international education families in other districts, such as Abbotsford, which is offering a refund equalling 10% of fees to approximately 400 international students.
"They just keep saying we are getting the same quality education and we are asking for the refund for our missing classes and missing hours," said Hyungkeun Kim, who is the guardian of Korean high school students attending school in SD43 and says he is representing and interpreting for the group of Korean parents.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The dispute puts the district's international education program under the spotlight but assistant superintendent Patricia Gartland said the program, which will put about 1,400 foreign students in schools this year and generate approximately $20 million in revenue for SD43, has not suffered as a result of the strike, although she noted 10 students withdrew because of it.
"Canada is actually one of the top destinations for study abroad in the world and people know we have a world-class public education system," said Gartland, who noted despite the strike, applications continue to roll in for second semester and the district has its largest contingent of international education students ever. "They love Canadian culture, they have a lot of confidence in our government, our education and our people."
Kim said he and other parents understand the terms of the agreement they signed but believe the district should still provide a refund in the interest of fairness and because days have been lost.
"We don't want to fight against their policies," he said, "we want to fight for fairness. Some other districts have already paid but we are not [getting any refund]."
Gartland said students are getting a quality education and parents needn't worry that their children are being shortchanged. "We will absolutely deliver the high quality standard of education that we always do and we will make every effort to resolve their concerns as we always do," she said.
As well, she noted families are eligible for the $520 ($40 per day) Temporary Education Support for Parents grant for students 12 and under.
"This is compensation for all parents of young children," she said.
Meanwhile, Tri-City high school students will have their fall/winter and spring semesters shortened to about 80 instructional days each and this semester's provincial exams will delayed a week, to the week of Feb. 2, 2015.
