News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

April 13, 2021

Province Announces Engagement Plan as It Implements Better Education Starts Today Strategy

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Focused on Hearing from Parents, Students Educators Across Manitoba: Cullen

The province continues to consult and engage with Manitobans by announcing the creation of a number of a task forces and advisory panels that will help shape the future of Manitoba’s education system, Education Minister Cliff Cullen announced today.

“By working with educators, experts and parents, our government is advancing education by building a first-class kindergarten to Grade 12 education system with new schools, increased classroom funding and more say for parents in their children’s educational outcomes,” said Cullen. “We want Manitobans to be active and engaged in this process.”

The Parent Engagement Task Force will be made up of MLAs, parents, and school and community leaders to shape School Community Councils and explore ways to improve parent engagement. The task force will lead 15 regional town halls to hear from each region being about how to improve parental voice and engagement while respecting their time. This group will also host workshops with Parent Advisory Councils and school leaders to explore parental involvement.

The province is also creating advisory groups that will provide a representative voice in helping advance priority actions. These groups and their status will be posted on www.bettereducationmb.ca so Manitobans can receive regular updates on their work. These groups include:
• the Minister’s Advisory Council on Inclusive Education,
• the Task Force on Poverty and Education,
• the Provincial Curriculum Advisory Panel,
• the Funding Review Team, and
• the Student Advisory Council.

The consultation and engagement process will include school leaders, education stakeholders, parents, post-secondary institutions, members of Manitoba’s First Nations School System, other Indigenous organizations, Manitoba’s francophone community, community groups, municipalities and the business community.

“The K-12 Commission was clear that the need to strengthen local voices is essential, and how governance should reflect the diversity of Manitoban parents and caregivers while finding new ways to engage and support them that respects their time and commitments,” said Cullen.

This engagement work will focus on hearing from Manitobans across the province with:
• professional learning communities built around the Pillars of Student Success identified in the BEST strategy to get educators involved;
• piloting School Community Councils in a small number of schools to explore best practices, and learn from parents and school staff about improving engagement;
• continued meetings with external stakeholder groups; and
• the Minister’s Teacher Listening Tour to hear from teachers across the province.

“Manitobans can be assured that this process will be inclusive, balanced, flexible and transparent. We want to continue to listen to all Manitobans about how we can improve our education system to ensure our students have the best chance to succeed,” said Cullen.

Information will be available at www.bettereducationmb.ca

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