Hi,

I am honored to be running for school trustee. I am a dentist and a father, but most importantly, I am a concerned member of our community. As a clinician, I have always focused on serving children and youth whether at the clinic or through community and school outreach. As a Canadian who has received so much from our nation and feels indebted, I am concerned about our children’s education.

The decrease in learning is not only evident in the test scores, but it is also palpable to our senses. No one today, if being honest with themselves, believes that children graduate better prepared than before. We don’t only see a drop in measurable quantities like numeracy and literacy but also, more important, non-measurable character qualities like work ethic and aptitude. It harms every student in SD73, but the least fortunate are the most vulnerable. Many children will still receive a high-quality education because their parents can supplement their education privately. The picture is not just one of numbers but one of lost opportunities and potentials.

We are a rich society and the ~$16,000 per student that we spend is not a small amount; in fact, it is greater than per annual cost of every single private school here in Kamloops. The decrease in education quality is mirrored by specific policy whether it be the lack of standardization or the new ad-hoc core-competencies framework. We have the money, and we have amazing teachers; to ignore this issue would be an abdication of our collective responsibility. We need a school board that advocates for these concerns.

I hope I can build your trust within the next month to garner your vote. Feel free to message me anywhere, and if I have your support, please spread the message and follow me on Facebook at “Shahriar for School Trustee”. There you can find more information not just on education but also on capital funding, mental health, social media and special needs among others.

Cheers!