VICTORIA - More B.C. students are learning about how to stay healthy, according to the seventh annual school satisfaction survey released today by Education Minister Shirley Bond.

"I'm encouraged that this year's satisfaction survey shows that students are hearing our message about being healthy and physically active," said Bond. "Helping students understand their health choices is a key focus of our Healthy Schools program and a step forward in combating childhood obesity in B.C."

The satisfaction survey is administered every year to students in grades 3/4, 7, 10 and 12, as well as to parents and school staff. This year, more students in all four of the grades surveyed responded that they are learning about how to stay healthy, with Grade 7 students showing the largest increase at six per cent. More Grade 12 students also reported that they get exercise at school - up four per cent from last year.

The satisfaction survey is the largest of its kind in Canada and represents the views of people who are directly involved in the education system. This year, students, parents and school staff completed more than 187,000 surveys, answering questions about achievement, human and social development, the school environment, safety, healthy living, computer skills, physical activity and preparation for life after high school. The questions were developed with input from education partner groups.

Other survey results show:

* Staff satisfaction with student learning is up two per cent from 2006 and five per cent from 2003.
* Sixty-five per cent of Grade 3/4 students reported they are satisfied with what they are learning, down one per cent from last year and nine per cent from 2003.
* Grade 7 students' satisfaction with learning dropped by one per cent from last year to 46 per cent and is down four per cent from 2003. * Grade 10 students' satisfaction with what they are learning is also down one per cent from 2006, but is up two per cent from 2003.
* Grade 12 students' satisfaction with what they are learning remained unchanged from last year, but is up four per cent from 2003.

"The decline in learning satisfaction is a concern," said Bond. "The Province's new superintendents of achievement will be looking closely at the survey information to identify ways to help improve the results."

Satisfaction surveys are administered annually as part of the Province's efforts to improve student achievement. Parents, educators and school districts will use the information to develop achievement contracts and school plans aimed at improving student performance.

For complete survey results, visit www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reporting/surveys/sat-ba