The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia offers a bi-annual British Columbia Teachers’ Institute on Parliamentary Democracy for B.C. teachers in elementary, middle and high school. Come to your Parliament Buildings and learn about parliamentary democracy and political process. It is an intensive professional development opportunity for teachers of social studies and related subjects for grades 4 through 12.
Up to eighteen teachers will be selected to participate and experience B.C.’s parliamentary system first-hand, returning to their schools and communities with an enhanced understanding of democracy. It is a rigorous 4 days of learning.
Objectives:
- To enhance knowledge and understanding of B.C.’s parliamentary system;
- To promote discussion and critical inquiry into key issues in parliamentary democracy;
- To facilitate sharing and team development of ideas, resources and methods for teaching about parliamentary democracy in relation to B.C.’s social studies;
- To motivate B.C. teachers to champion effective citizenship and extend the discussion about parliamentary democracy to their students, schools and communities;
- To provide an opportunity for B.C. teachers to interact with Members of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Assembly staff; and,
- To provide B.C. teachers with the opportunity to become familiar with the educational resources available through PEO at the Legislative Assembly.
Benefits:
- Increased and in-depth knowledge of B.C.’s political system;
- Network opportunities with teachers from across the province with similar interests;
- Attend Question Period and meet with Officers of the House and key Legislative Assembly staff;
- Opportunity to develop, share and receive resources on B.C.’s parliamentary system and from across Canada; and,
- Engage teachers in discussion to further promote an understanding and awareness of the Legislature and its relevance.
Program:
Activities include briefings by the Speaker of the House, Clerk of the House, Law Clerk, and Cabinet Operations as well as informal meetings with elected officials. Tours of the Parliament Buildings include a behind the scene peek at the Legislative Chamber, Speaker’s Corridor and the Legislative Library - all highlighting the grandeur of our majestic legislative buildings. Presentations from Legislative Assembly staff on the Parliamentary Committee system and Hansard Services as well as a panel discussion with MLAs and a Question and Answer session with the Press Gallery.
Teachers will be selected for each level (elementary, middle and secondary) to work in teams for the duration of the Institute. Each team will be assigned a facilitator, an experienced teacher from British Columbia who has previously participated in the B.C. Teachers’ Institute. There will be time set aside each day to work in teams and debrief with the facilitator. Each team will be responsible for developing a classroom activity based upon their experiences at the Institute. The classroom activity will be presented on the final day of the Institute and made available on the Legislative Assembly website as resources for teachers across the province. Computer/internet access is provided for teamwork sessions.
All British Columbia teachers from elementary, middle and secondary levels are invited to apply. Selected applicants will be contacted approximately 6 weeks prior to the event. There is a registration fee of $150.00 that includes accommodation, all meals and resource materials. There are some travel subsidies available to participants travelling from far distances. Please note that teachers are responsible for their own substitution costs. Please also note that selected teachers may only defer acceptance once.
Please note: attendance is mandatory at all sessions and business attire is required for most
sessions.
Upcoming Sessions
There are currently no upcoming sessions scheduled. Please contact the Public Education & Outreach office for details regarding the next B.C. Teachers’ Institute on Parliamentary Democracy at PEO@leg.bc.ca. Thank you for your interest.
Previous Sessions
