The Howe Sound Teachers Association (HSTA) is worried that young students from overseas studying in Squamish are suffering in dormitory-style accommodations.
But the school board says elementary school students in the district's international students program aren't negatively impacted and that teachers may be suffering from a 'cultural bias' over the students' living arrangements.
There are 77 elementary school students from Korea in the Howe Sound district, and most of them live in one of several large houses run by a Korean agent named Chae Lee. The 68 high school-age international students in the district, on the other hand primarily stay with homestay families.
"We're really concerned about the living arrangements of the elementary school students," said HSTA president Carl Walker. "We don't think dormitory style accommodations are in their best interests.
"We believe approved homestays would provide the children with a much higher standard of care."
Walker said teachers were also concerned about the amount of time Korean elementary students are putting into their studies. The students go to Howe Sound Secondary school after regular classes for more education, including ESL.
"There are kids as young as eight years old who are taking classes until 10 p.m. at night," he said."I hear from teachers that these young children are very tired at school. They're falling asleep in class."
The teachers association surveyed teachers of international students in January 2004. One of the statements teachers had to agree or disagree with was "I am satisfied that the board is providing adequate care in protecting the welfare of international students as per Ministry of Education policy." Fifteen of the respondents disagreed, and 21 were neutral. Only five teachers agreed.
"I would say I don't have any reason to believe they're negatively impacted," said Rick Erickson, the superintendent of schools for the district. "We've had excellent cooperation with Chae Lee."
Lee came to the school board with a proposal for the dorm housing system, and the board decided to accept the proposal.
"It's a different way of organizing," Erickson said.
"We would possibly look at sending our school-age children to a different country and letting them stay in dorms."
With regard to the teachers' complaints, Erickson said there is a cultural bias in place.
"From our cultural eyes we might say, 'they should be out playing baseball,'" he said.
"In many Asian countries it's not uncommon for kids to be more focused on their studies."
Walker said teachers were unaware of the financial benefits the international student revenues had on schools in the district.
"We'd like greater transparency with respect to the financial benefits that accrue to schools," he said.
The teacher survey contained comments like "I have seen no evidence of any financial help" and "not sure where the money goes."
But when asked to agree with "my school benefits from the extra funding received from the international students," 22 teachers agreed, and only three disagreed.
According to the British Columbia Teachers Federation Research Report, in 2002/2003, revenue from international students in the Howe Sound district provided 5.13 per cent ($1,708,794) of the district's annual operating funds. In comparison, international students' program in the West Vancouver district provided just over 16 per cent of the districts budget.
"Ministry and board data shows that the number of teachers in Howe Sound is declining at twice the rate then the enrolment decline. The board receives more revenue as a per cent than almost any other school district, yet there's no evidence that this money is protecting teaching positions," Walker said.
The Howe Sound district was in 11th place in British Columbia in 2002/2003 for revenue from international students, according to the BCTF report.
Erickson said any who wanted to know where the money from the program goes can visit the school board office.
"We've got all the information here. It's no secret."
