--- title: "Every Student Equipped to Learn: the Green Party of Vancouver plan | Vancouver 2026 | voche.me" canonical_url: "https://voche.me/parties/green-party-of-vancouver/2026-platform/school-board/every-student-equipped-to-learn" last_updated: "2026-10-10T04:00:39.046Z" meta: description: "The Green Party of Vancouver says its trustees would expand support for students with diverse learning needs, address a five-year fall in literacy and nume..." "og:description": "The Green Party of Vancouver says its trustees would expand support for students with diverse learning needs, address a five-year fall in literacy and nume..." "og:title": "Every Student Equipped to Learn: the Green Party of Vancouver plan | Vancouver 2026" "twitter:description": "The Green Party of Vancouver says its trustees would expand support for students with diverse learning needs, address a five-year fall in literacy and nume..." "twitter:title": "Every Student Equipped to Learn: the Green Party of Vancouver plan | Vancouver 2026" --- ** Green Party of Vancouver · Vancouver 2026 # Vancouver Greens on inclusive education, school food, mental health and student voice The Green Party of Vancouver says its trustees would expand support for students with diverse learning needs, address a five-year fall in literacy and numeracy, grow school food programs, keep support for SOGI123, add trades and career pathways, and ask students for input before major decisions. All 33 commitments [Read pages 57 to 60 of the PDF ](https://assets.nationbuilder.com/vangreens/pages/6122/attachments/original/1790718545/Platform_2026_-_Green_Party_of_Vancouver_%281%29.pdf?1790718545#page=57) [**10**Candidates](https://voche.me/parties/green-party-of-vancouver/candidates) [**10/10**Issues with published policy](https://voche.me/parties/green-party-of-vancouver/platform) [**12**Sources on file](https://voche.me/parties/green-party-of-vancouver/money) **8**Questions answered SCHOOL BOARD · PAGES 57 TO 60 ## Every Student Equipped to Learn: what the Platform 2026 says The Green Party of Vancouver starts this part of its school platform from the idea that learning depends on more than lessons. The party lists hunger, accessibility, mental health, safety, belonging and access to support as things that shape how well a student can learn. Its first commitment is to students with diverse learning needs: educational assistants and support staff based on need, better access to buildings and learning materials, and a new look at the decisions that reduced vice-principals, music teachers and librarians. The party also says it would address a five-year downward trend in literacy and numeracy results, with a focus on grade 10. On food, the Greens would expand nutritious school food programs, ask the Province and the federal government for stable funding, and support school gardens and composting. On health, they would ask for more counsellors and school-based mental health staff, work with health authorities, and give help early, before a student is in crisis. The platform says the party would continue support for SOGI123 so that students of all sexual orientations and gender identities feel safe, and would support English language learners, settlement workers in schools and newcomer families. The last two sections look ahead. The Greens would expand climate learning within the provincial curriculum, build links to trades apprenticeships and to jobs in clean energy, construction and electrification, and support early learning programs such as Strong Start as well as adult education. They would ask students, especially those from underrepresented communities, for input before major decisions. The Board of Education runs these programs in Vancouver schools, while the Province sets the funding formula, so several items take the form of requests to other governments. THE PARTY'S NUMBERS ## Figures in this chapter **5 years** Length of the downward trend in literacy and numeracy proficiency that the party cites, particularly among grade 10 students The party's figure, page 57 33 COMMITMENTS ## What the party says it would do 1. ### Support diverse learning needs and assess staff reductions The Greens would give priority to adequate support for students with diverse learning needs. They would also assess the decisions that led to fewer vice-principals, music teachers and librarians.
Who has the power
School Board The board decides how staff and programs are spread across its schools.
Source
Platform 2026, page 57
2. ### Seek funding for inclusive education The party would ask the Province for funding that reflects the real cost of inclusive education.
Who has the power
Province School funding is set by the Province, so the board can only ask for it.
Source
Platform 2026, page 57
3. ### Address falling literacy and numeracy The Greens would address what they call a five-year downward trend in literacy and numeracy proficiency across every student group, particularly among grade 10 students.
Who has the power
School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
Source
Platform 2026, page 57
4. ### Access to educational assistants based on need The party would improve students' access to educational assistants and other support staff based on student need.
Who has the power
School Board The board hires support staff and decides where they work.
Source
Platform 2026, page 57
5. ### Improve accessibility of schools and materials The Greens would make school buildings, programs, communications and learning materials more accessible.
Who has the power
School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
Source
Platform 2026, page 57
6. ### Identify gaps in participation The party would find the gaps that keep students with accessibility or diverse learning needs from taking full part in school life.
Who has the power
School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
Source
Platform 2026, page 57
7. ### Consider accessibility earlier The Greens would include accessibility earlier in decisions on buildings, programs and policies.
Who has the power
School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
Source
Platform 2026, page 57
8. ### Keep support steady between grades and schools The party would work with families, students, educators and specialists so support continues as students move between grades and schools.
Who has the power
School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
Source
Platform 2026, page 57
9. ### Expand school food programs The Greens would expand access to nutritious school food programs.
Who has the power
School Board The board runs food programs in its own schools.
Source
Platform 2026, page 58
10. ### Seek stable school food funding The party would ask the Province and the federal government for stable school food funding.
Who has the power
Province The money would come from the Province and the federal government, so the board can only ask.
Source
Platform 2026, page 58
11. ### Expand food programs with partners The Greens would work with community organizations and other partners to expand food programs and cooking lessons.
Who has the power
School Board The board can make its own partnerships with community groups.
Source
Platform 2026, page 58
12. ### Favour fresh and local food The party would favour fresh, nutritious and locally produced food where practical and affordable.
Who has the power
School Board The board decides what its own food programs buy.
Source
Platform 2026, page 58
13. ### Reduce food waste The Greens would reduce avoidable food waste through food recovery and composting.
Who has the power
School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
Source
Platform 2026, page 58
14. ### Food literacy and school gardens The party would support school gardens and other hands-on ways for students to learn about food.
Who has the power
School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
Source
Platform 2026, page 58
15. ### Seek more school-based mental health resources The Greens would ask for more school-based mental health resources, including counsellors and support staff, to give students and families clearer paths to help.
Who has the power
Province The platform frames this as advocacy, and health funding is provincial, so the board can only ask.
Source
Platform 2026, page 58
16. ### Partner with health authorities and service providers The party would strengthen partnerships with health authorities, community organizations and service providers.
Who has the power
School Board The board can make partnerships, but health authorities are run by the Province.
Source
Platform 2026, page 58
17. ### Support prevention and early help The Greens would support prevention and early help so schools act before students reach a crisis.
Who has the power
School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
Source
Platform 2026, page 58
18. ### Expand equity and belonging programs The party would expand programs on equity, anti-oppression, belonging, social connection and resilience.
Who has the power
School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
Source
Platform 2026, page 58
19. ### Continue support for SOGI123 The Greens would continue support for SOGI123 and make sure students of all sexual orientations and gender identities feel safe, supported and welcome in Vancouver schools.
Who has the power
School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
Source
Platform 2026, page 58
20. ### Carry out the Accessibility Act The party would continue carrying out the Accessibility Act by supporting the district's Accessibility Plan and Accessibility Committee and acting on the feedback received.
Who has the power
School Board The board runs its own accessibility plan and committee.
Source
Platform 2026, page 59
21. ### Support language learners and newcomer families The Greens would advocate to all levels of government for English language learners, Multicultural Liaison workers, Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) and family support programs. They would make sure the district works together to support new immigrant and refugee families.
Who has the power
Province The platform frames this as advocacy to all levels of government, so the board can only ask them; how the district works with newcomer families is its own choice.
Source
Platform 2026, page 59
22. ### Coordinate education, health and social supports The party would improve coordination between education, health and social supports where responsibilities overlap.
Who has the power
School Board The board can coordinate its own services, but health and social services belong to other governments.
Source
Platform 2026, page 59
23. ### Safety policies that cover wellbeing The Greens would make sure school safety policies reflect both physical safety and student wellbeing.
Who has the power
School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
Source
Platform 2026, page 59
24. ### Expand climate and sustainability learning The party would expand climate and sustainability learning in line with provincial curriculum requirements.
Who has the power
School Board The board chooses what its schools offer, within the provincial curriculum the platform refers to.
Source
Platform 2026, page 59
25. ### Hands-on environmental learning The Greens would support hands-on learning through school gardens, habitat restoration and other environmental projects.
Who has the power
School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
Source
Platform 2026, page 59
26. ### Expand skilled-trades programs The party would partner with trades organizations and expand skilled-trades programs and links to apprenticeship programs.
Who has the power
School Board The board chooses which programs and partnerships its schools offer.
Source
Platform 2026, page 59
27. ### Build career pathways The Greens would build stronger pathways into careers in clean energy, construction, electrification and other key sectors, and show students a wider range of career options.
Who has the power
School Board The board chooses which programs and partnerships its schools offer.
Source
Platform 2026, page 59
28. ### Partner for learning outside the classroom The party would partner with post-secondary institutions, employers and community groups to expand learning by doing (the PDF says 'experiential learning'). It would encourage local education programs that meet the needs of Vancouver students.
Who has the power
School Board The board can make its own partnerships with colleges, employers and community groups.
Source
Platform 2026, page 59
29. ### Support learning from preschool to adult education The Greens would work toward lifelong learning by supporting preschool programs such as Strong Start, Ready Set Learn and Welcome to Kindergarten, as well as adult education.
Who has the power
School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
Source
Platform 2026, page 59
30. ### Seek student input before major decisions The party would seek student input, especially from underrepresented communities, before major decisions on school life, buildings or programs.
Who has the power
School Board The board sets its own meeting rules, consultation and reporting, so it can do this itself.
Source
Platform 2026, page 60
31. ### Let students speak directly to the Board The Greens would give students more chances to speak directly to the Board on policies that affect them.
Who has the power
School Board The board sets its own meeting rules, consultation and reporting, so it can do this itself.
Source
Platform 2026, page 60
32. ### Strengthen student leadership The party would encourage schools to strengthen student leadership and democratic participation.
Who has the power
School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
Source
Platform 2026, page 60
33. ### Widen access to extracurricular activities The Greens would widen fair access to extracurricular, leadership, arts, sports and enrichment activities.
Who has the power
School Board The board runs Vancouver public schools and sets its own policies, so it can act on this alone.
Source
Platform 2026, page 60
WHO WOULD HAVE TO ACT ## Where the power sits for this chapter School Board29 Province4 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ## Questions about every student equipped to learn
What does the Green Party of Vancouver plan for students with special needs? The Green Party of Vancouver would put adequate support for students with diverse learning needs first and give access to educational assistants and support staff based on student need. It would also ask the Province for funding that reflects the real cost of inclusive education (platform, page 57).
What would the Vancouver Greens do about falling literacy and numeracy scores? The Greens say they would address the five-year downward trend in literacy and numeracy proficiency across every student group, particularly among grade 10 students. In the same section the party says it would assess the decisions that led to fewer vice-principals, music teachers and librarians (platform, page 57).
Does the Green Party of Vancouver support school food programs? Yes. The Green Party of Vancouver would expand nutritious school food programs, favour fresh and locally produced food where practical and affordable, and ask the Province and the federal government for stable school food funding (platform, page 58).
Do the Vancouver Greens support SOGI 123 in schools? Yes. The Greens say they would continue support for SOGI123 and make sure students of all sexual orientations and gender identities feel safe, supported and welcome in Vancouver schools (platform, page 58).
What would the Greens do for student mental health in Vancouver schools? The Green Party of Vancouver would ask for more school-based mental health resources, including counsellors and support staff, and work with health authorities and community groups. It would support prevention and early help before students reach a crisis (platform, page 58).
Would the Green Party of Vancouver add trades programs in high schools? The Greens would partner with trades organizations, expand skilled-trades programs and links to apprenticeships, and build pathways into careers in clean energy, construction and electrification (platform, page 59).
Can the Vancouver School Board pay for these student supports on its own? Partly. The Board of Education approves the district budget and decides which programs its schools run, but the Province sets the funding formula. That is why the Green Party of Vancouver asks the Province, and for school food the federal government too, for stable funding (platform, pages 57 and 58).
How would the Vancouver Greens give students a say in school decisions? The Greens would seek student input, especially from underrepresented communities, before major decisions on school life, buildings or programs, and give students more chances to speak directly to the Board (platform, page 60).
ON THE BALLOT ## The Green Party of Vancouver candidates behind this ### School Board [303**Alisha Masongsong**Ballot 303](https://voche.me/candidates/alisha-masongsong) [330**Julie Strilesky**Ballot 330](https://voche.me/candidates/julie-strilesky) ## Sources Every commitment on this page comes from the party's own material, marked SAYS SO ITSELF. It proves what the party says it would do. Who holds each power is our own addition, from the sources listed after it. 1. [Platform 2026, Green Party of Vancouver (72-page PDF, last updated September 29, 2026) ](https://assets.nationbuilder.com/vangreens/pages/6122/attachments/original/1790718545/Platform_2026_-_Green_Party_of_Vancouver_%281%29.pdf?1790718545#page=57)SAYS SO ITSELFGreen Party of Vancouver · pages 57 to 60 · published September 29, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026 ## Sitemap See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.