The government of British Columbia is pressing ahead with controversial changes to the province's post-secondary education system by announcing plans to extend degree granting status to existing public colleges and institutes and to allow the accreditation of private universities.

"We want to provide greater choice in terms of the range of degree programs and institutions available," explained Shirley Bond, Minister of Advanced Education. "The changes we are making will enhance degree granting opportunities for both public and private institutions, and provide greater clarity and certainty for students."

Under the proposed Degree Authorization Act, the provincial government will establish a "quality assessment process" for determining which institutions will be given the authority to grant B.C. degrees - including private institutions, and public institutions located outside the province.

While most observers welcomed the legislation to expand degree opportunities at public colleges and institutes, educators and students expressed concern about the accreditation of private universities.

"Everyone agrees we need to provide more education for college and university students in B.C.," said Maureen Shaw, president of the College Institute Educators' Association of B.C. "The debate here is about the wisdom of going to a private education model which means increased inequality and less public control and accountability."

"Students want more opportunities to get degrees, but not in exchange for sky-high tuition fees and no protection of their rights," said Summer McFadyen, B.C. chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "By underfunding the public system, this government is creating a market for high-priced, elite education for those who can afford it, and a lower-quality education for the rest of us."

Shaw also warned that private universities may come with other hidden costs, such as exposing the public post-secondary education system to potential challenges under free trade agreements which view public funding arrangements and government regulations as trade-restrictive subsidies.

"We have public institutions from Prince George to Vancouver reeling from budget cuts and it may be tempting to view private alternatives as a quick fix for a cash-strapped government," Shaw said. "However, when government gives the nod to private universities, it also potentially opens up a Pandora's box of problems under free trade - including a siphoning of taxpayers' money into private universities and a lowering of educational quality and standards."

The Confederation of University Faculty Associations of B.C. gave cautious approval to the government's decision. In a letter to the Minister of Advanced Education, CUFA/BC president Darwyn Coxson said CUFA/BC was happy to see that government wanted private institutions to meet the same standards as public ones. "A British Columbia degree, whether public or private, should continue to be a symbol of a high-quality, rigorous education," Coxson said.

The government expects the quality assessment process for private universities, and for public institutions outside of B.C., to be ready to accept applications within six months.