The BC Offshore Program is the largest Provincial overseas school program in Canada and operates worldwide. In January of 2013, the BC Ministry of Education International Schools Program announced new and sweeping changes to the BC Offshore School Program intended to improve the oversight and quality of the program and to introduce more active participation in the operation of the program from the Ministry.

Highlights of these changes include:

• Introduction of Application Period: All new applications will be received between September 1 and December 31st.
• Class size requirements for new Schools: As a means to establishing sustainable schools, all new schools will be required to start from a minimum of Grade 8 and have a minimum of 60 students per grade level.
• Twinning: Offshore Schools are required to establish Twinning relationships with On-Shore Schools to promote interaction and student movement between international students and BC schools.
• Concept of On-Shore Semester: The Province has introduced the idea of requiring students in Offshore Schools to spend 1 semester of study in a BC school before graduating (this would apply to 25% of graduating students). As of March 2014, this idea is still under discussion and no plans have been implemented.

The BC Offshore Program has grown significantly over the past few years with over 40 schools operating in China, South Korea, Egypt, the Middle East, and Thailand. While the growth of the program is expected to slow, the increased focus on quality will help improve existing offerings and ensure new schools open fully supported to succeed.

More information on the BC Offshore Program can be found at: www.bced.gov.bc.ca/offshore_schools

About the Author

Scott Reid is the President of Offshore Education Ltd., a International School Service Provider, an Offshore Program Consultant for the BC Offshore Program, and the Founding Principal of BC Collegiate Canada in Seoul.