After pulling the new education act from the brief fall sitting of the legislature several weeks ago, saying he wanted more public input, Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk revealed on last week how he intends to get that input.
Lukaszuk said the province will hold a series of forums to listen to Albertans to make sure the new act, the first revision since 1988, is comprehensive.
“It shapes the future of our province, it shapes young minds and we simply cannot afford to get it wrong.”
Edmonton will host a forum next Saturday and that will be followed by events in Red Deer, Calgary, Bonnyville, Lethbridge, Fort McMurray and Peace River.
The current version of the act came from a report the government commissioned on education, called Inspiring Education.
Lukaszuk said that report is going to be the starting part for the new act.
“Inspiring Education was probably one of the best dialogues we had in this province on education. Parents and other stakeholders were engaged and I wanted to make sure that golden nugget of wisdom was translated into the act.”
He said despite that report’s success the province didn’t hear from enough people about education and he wants to make sure no one’s opinions are left out.
“I am confident that when all of us participate in this process we will end up with a solid education act.”
The forums will give priority to parents, students and teachers during the consultation.
Lukaszuk said he remains confident the act can be passed in the spring session of the legislature, but he wants to be absolutely sure everyone is consulted.
“I am certain that we owe it to our children so that at the end of the day once we pass this piece of legislation, we don’t second guess.”
The government introduced a website on Tuesday www.education.alberta.ca/engage which has a variety of options for people to share their thoughts on the act.
