International enrolment declining
To the editor:
Kelowna MLA Steve Thomson has written a report in the Capital News (Jan. 24 edition) titled Good News for Okanagan College, that indicated international student enrolment is increasing in B.C.
Ironically, it is quite the opposite in Thomson’s own riding.
Okanagan College has been facing a decrease in the number of international students enrolled.
As an international student who has studied for the past few years at Okanagan College, I can confirm that service levels have been reduced and staffing for the international student department has decreased as a result of lower levels of international student enrolment.
On top of decreasing levels of international student enrolment, Okanagan College has had to contend with chronic underfunding that has only grown under the decade of Liberal government.
Okanagan College isn’t the only institution to face these challenges; most other colleges in B.C. have faced extreme budget pressure due to inadequate funding.
In fact, B.C. colleges and universities receive less per student funding today, than they did in 2001.
So no Mr. Thomson, unfortunately we are not at a point where we can be completely proud of the post-secondary education system in B.C.
Jingwei (Javid) Wu,
Kelowna
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