The first day of the A Learning Alberta Minister’s Forum began with Advanced Education Minister David Hancock encouraging boldness and innovation from participants, a theme consistent throughout the consultation process.
“Today, we’ll focus on creating Alberta’s future, a future that depends on pushing the edges of knowledge creation and knowledge transfer, a future where every Albertan can participate,” said Hancock. “We need to change the way we think about advanced learning and our fundamental notions of the future. We need to think about advanced learning for the 21st century.”
When asked how these talks will affect current students, Hancock noted while some short-term planning will result, the discussions are about future students–not today’s students.
“I’ve been really clear with the students who have been involved with these discussions; it’s really not about the students in school today, it’s about the students in school tomorrow,” he said. “When you talk about the big picture and the framework policy, you have to back up and really look at the big picture.”
The delegates listened to a presentation by keynote speaker James Burke and a series of speeches by a panel with Chair of the Creating Tomorrow Foundation Ruben Nelson, University of Calgary Graduate Students’ Association Vice-President External Jennifer Reid, Maxam Contracting owner Willard Kirkpatrick, U of C Disability Resource Centre Director Pat Pardo and University of Alberta President Indira Samaresekera before breaking into small group discussions.
“The breakout sessions were remarkably similar to those during the regional consultations–they were the exact same questions and a lot of the exact same responses,” said U of C Students’ Union VP External Jen Smith. “I’m not impressed. I still can’t see much tangible policy development or clear goals and commitments as to where we’re going.”
SU President Bryan West was slightly more optimistic.
“It’s more productive, there’s a little bit more meat on the bones this time around,” remarked West. “There’s still not a lot of detail and the ministry’s not disclosing any programs, but that’s actually positive in that they’re giving more time for conversation. Instead of just that one regional consultation we’re actually getting to come here and this is actually helping to develop what’s going to happen.”
The second day was much more focused on policy, with a definite emphasis on adult literacy and involvement by the Aboriginal community within the post-secondary environment.
“Literacy, family literacy, and adult literacy are absolutely integral to the development of a learning Alberta,” said Maureen Sanders, one of the speakers in the panel that spoke before the small group sessions in the morning. Citing a 36 per cent adult illiteracy rate, Sanders emphasized it is crucial to support adult literacy programs, a sentiment echoed by Hancock.
“We need to set a bold target to cut [adult illiteracy] at least in half within five years,” said Hancock. “Our goal should be that every parent should be able to read to their child. Alberta’s children deserve nothing less.”
Hancock then went on to acknowledge the barriers facing Aboriginal learners and announced the creation of an Aboriginal education division with a focus Aboriginal leadership and learning strategies.
“It’s not a question of what to do, it’s a question of when,” Hancock noted, quoting panelist Terry Fortin. Other issues such as tuition and access- ibility were also identified.
Hancock said he plans on creating several sub-committees to compile all the data collected at the forum and convert the recommendations into policy. He expects the process to take until March, something that more than one observer has found confusing.
“The minister’s saying the time for action is now, but then he turns around and says he’ll appoint sub-committees that’ll report back in March,” said Public Interest Alberta’s Bill Moore-Kilgannon. “What’s his definition of ‘now’?”