Surrey Schools Introduce Hybrid Learning to Tackle Overcrowding

The Surrey School District in British Columbia is implementing a hybrid learning model as a response to rising student enrollment and overcrowded classrooms. Starting in September 2023, some students in grades 10, 11, and 12 will participate in a pilot project that combines in-person and online learning. This initiative comes as the district’s enrollment exceeded 83,000 students last year, marking an increase of 1,500 from the previous year.

Surrey has historically relied on approximately 400 portable classrooms to accommodate its growing student population. However, the district’s Chair, Gary Tymoschuk, emphasized the unsustainability of this approach, noting that the provincial government does not provide funding for portable structures. “The province does not fund portables, and therefore, we’ve been forced to find a way to figure it out,” Tymoschuk stated. He highlighted that funding is available for traditional school construction but not for temporary solutions.

In light of these constraints, the district is exploring alternative strategies to alleviate classroom pressures. One such strategy includes extending school days, which has already been implemented in eight high schools. The hybrid learning model will allow students to engage with lessons through platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom, rotating between online and in-class instruction.

The pilot project, approved by the Surrey Board of Education in December 2022, aims to offer up to three senior-level courses designed to enhance 21st century learning skills. This format reflects the realities of a modern workforce where remote work is increasingly common.

Feedback on the new learning model is mixed. Anne Whitmore, president of the Surrey District Parent Advisory Council, acknowledged the benefits of preparing students for future job environments but also raised concerns about the disruptions of a non-traditional learning setup. “On the other hand, for parents like me who work from home, having your kid at home or somewhere when they’re not in a structured environment coming in and out is also disruptive,” Whitmore explained.

Whitmore further argued that the challenges of overcrowding and the introduction of hybrid learning are indicative of broader issues stemming from inadequate provincial school funding. She pointed to recent reductions in educational services, including the elimination of alternative learning centres and the scrapping of Grade 7 band programs. “The cuts that we’re seeing are actually removing students’ abilities to fully participate in their education,” she added. “They’re shortchanging them now, but really they are going to pay in their future.”

In response to the growing needs of Surrey schools, Bowinn Ma, the B.C. Infrastructure Minister, stated that the provincial government has committed $1 billion for new and expanded school facilities in the region since taking office. This funding has created 9,000 new student seats, with an additional 11,000 currently in development. “We know there’s more work to do and are working quickly to address these pressures,” Ma affirmed.

Parents have expressed frustration over the situation, feeling disconnected from decision-making processes. Whitmore noted the lack of clarity regarding accountability for the ongoing issues. “We want someone to say, ‘I am responsible. We have a plan,’” she stated. “What ends up happening is it’s insulated in terms of who’s actually responsible, and so parents get pitched back and forth.”

As Surrey schools brace for the upcoming school year, the introduction of hybrid learning represents an innovative, albeit contentious, approach to addressing the challenges of overcrowding while aiming to prepare students for a rapidly evolving educational landscape.