Commission puts system under microscope – ASBA welcomes the scrutiny and dialogue
Release date: June 25, 2002
Being open to new ideas and focused on what is best for students are keys to the approach the Alberta School Boards Association will take as the association gears up to participate in the provincial education commission announced today.
"This commission puts education at the top of the government agenda and it puts the whole system under the microscope in terms of asking the question: is the system as it is currently structured organized to best serve students?" said ASBA President Michele Mulder, who welcomed the announcement.
"School boards want to be open to the answers to this question so we can do the very best job for the students we serve. Out of the turmoil of the labour dispute emerged this golden opportunity to talk with Albertans about how we educate students in this province. It's about time -- it's been 30 years since the Worth Commission – we’re spending $3.5 billion on this enterprise – every Albertan should be talking about this."
Mulder said school boards have already identified at least six areas they want discussed as part of the commission:
- What do Albertans want and expect of the system which serves 500,000 students in Alberta?
- How do we decide what and how teachers are paid? What is the role of the union? What do we expect of teachers and others who work in our schools?
- Funding the public education system: Is there enough money in the system given Albertans' expectations? Where should the dollars come from? Should school boards have the ability to tax?
- Who runs the system? What role does each party play?
- How do we respond to the societal issues and pressures of the coming years to best educate students?
"As far as we are concerned everything should be on the table for discussion
– and most of all—we really want Albertans to be involved because
we believe this commission has the opportunity to chart the next 30 years for
this province's public education system," said Mulder. "I believe
this is a forum that will have the potential to make a real and positive difference
for students."
For more information contact: Michele Mulder, ASBA President at 1.780.679.5627 (cell).
The Alberta School Boards Association serves and represents all Alberta’s public, separate and francophone school boards.
