Reimagining public education in Canada

An item from a general education organization in Ontario.

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Dear public education supporter, 2022 is nearly over! What’s that saying about “don’t let the door hit you on the way out”? That’s how I feel about 2022…and 2021…and maybe 2020. I wake up every morning and read the newspaper (yes, I still read an actual newspaper), and I am struck by both the challenges and the incredible pace of transformation facing the world. I’m also struck by what’s missing in our public dialogue about the future. We talk about the future of work, the future of democracy, the future of healthcare, the future of the climate, but we continually leave an essential piece out of these conversations. Despite all that has gone on in education over the last few years, we are not talking about the future of public education – something that could play a critical role in helping us to overcome many of the challenges society faces today, from poverty, to climate change, to polarization. Today is International Human Rights Day, and the right to education is a fundamental human right that unlocks access to all our other human rights. (Check out our new Right to Education page!) Public education is critical in building the civil, democratic, sustainable, innovative, productive, equitable, Canada that we all need and want. But Canada’s public education system – in its current form – is not able to fulfil its foundational role. It doesn’t serve every student equally. It hasn’t kept pace with the ever-evolving world around us. It’s content with being “good” when it could be “great”. So, what do we do about this?   We think it’s time to get education out of its box. In the new year, we’re launching The Big Assignment. It’s an assignment for all of us – no matter what generation or sector – to meet, to debate and challenge, and put education at the centre of our conversations about Canada’s future.   I want to thank you all so much for your contributions on Giving Tuesday and throughout the year. Every donation is a huge help. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and that 2023 brings better things. Annie  A Change of (S)pace People for Education hosted its first intergenerational retreat on November 21st. It marked the beginning of a pan-Canadian dialogue to reimagine public education in Canada so that it can fulfill its foundational role for both individuals and the collective. The day brought together advocates, innovators, researchers, and leaders from across sectors, generations, and perspectives to explore the possibilities of public education as the solution to many of the challenges society faces today. One of the things that made this day stand out was that it wasn’t about answers, but instead focused on the need to include everyone in this vital dialogue, to collaborate, to listen and to share. Some key things that we discussed were: How can we use the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to demonstrate the links between public education and a range of social and economic goals? What qualities and attributes make an ideal global citizen? What needs to change in the current education system to ensure it caters to every student? What could a reimagined public education system look like in Canada? People for Education’s Right to Education Framework In Canada, everyone has a right to education, but that right is currently neither adequately defined, nor equitably accessible. Persistent gaps and barriers in public education mean that not every child or student has equitable access to the quality education that will provide them the chance for long-term success in school and life. People for Education knows that a strong, equitable public education system is a key factor in a healthy, democratic, successful society, and stronger public education could help us solve many of our biggest issues. People for Education’s Right to Education Framework is the first step in this direction. The Right to Education framework has two key purposes: To define a quality education in Canada by articulating clear goals and outcomes. To provide sample indicators that can be developed, measured, and publicly reported by schools, boards, policymakers, and education systems.                Learn more about the framework and its development  Read People for Education’s analysis of education rights in Canada and Europe 30 years with insufficient progress on child well-being – UN report finds Canada behind on implementing Convention on the Rights of the Child European Child Guarantee provides a model for Canada Reframing quality public education as a fundamental human right PFE’s team has grown Please join us in welcoming Maryam Ahmad, our new Policy and Research Fellow, to the People for Education team. Maryam is a non-profit professional who is passionate about women’s and children’s rights, racialized communities, and Canadian-Muslim affairs. She completed her studies at York University and the University of Waterloo, where she obtained her Master’s degree. Her academic background in political science and global governance has very much shaped the way she views the world. By using her personal and professional experiences, Maryam hopes to one day make an impactful change in society. Maryam lives in Niagara Falls with her husband and son. Public education—when it is functioning at its best—is the path to success for Canada’s children and young people, and for our future as a country. You can support our work by donating now using the form below or clicking here. Our donors fuel the work we do. Learn more about them here.  Donate Now

Follow us for more regular updates on education policy and research Facebook @PeopleforEd @AnnieKidder People for Education Copyright © 2022 People for Education, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up on our website, at an event, or when making a donation. Our mailing address is: People for Education 728A St. Clair Ave. West 2nd Floor Toronto, Ontario M6C 1B3 Canada