EAST CENTRAL — A framework released by the Saskatchewan government will be used to develop a provincial plan for education for the next decade.
The framework is the result of a year-long engagement process with thousands of Saskatchewan residents, including students, parents, teachers, education stakeholders, Indigenous leaders and the business community.
“I appreciate very much the process that the ministry [of education’s] gone through with this work, that they brought the stakeholders together,” said Kevin Garinger, the Horizon School Division director of education.
He said as an organization that’s always looking to the future of education, it’s good that the province is working on a plan for the next 10 years.
“We have the pillars, we have the goals and we have the strategies,” he said. “All of those things are going to be important as we take the next steps, which are going to be to continue to provide the highest level of education we possibly can and meeting the needs of kids.”
The four pillars of the plan are to provide the skills and knowledge for students’ future learning, life and participation in society; supporting mental health and well-being; forming connections and relationships; and having inclusive, safe and welcoming learning environments.
“As I look at what these pillars are, they're very focused around things that we're very focused on,” Garinger said.
The framework has three goals: that students are learning what they need for their future; that they feel safe and supported; and that they feel they belong, are valued, and can be themselves.
Not only does that include a focus on reading, writing and numeracy. Students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the treaties and the worldviews and historical impact of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.
Garinger said it’s important for First Nations – and all other students – to feel that they are valued, and that their history and worldviews are taken into account.
“We need them to feel like they belong and are valued, and they can be themselves,” he said. “That's what we strive for today and will continue to do.”
The director of education said the framework also matches the latest research on how to best educate children.
The goal is to have a provincial education sector strategic plan ready to go by September 2020. This is the second plan the province has had for the education sector.
