The late Lois E. Hole, former Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta - memorably said,
The staggering truth is, almost everything that we’ve accomplished in the 20th century can be attributed to our public education system …. I firmly believe that the historians of the future will look back and consider the concept of public education the most important instrument of social progress the human race has yet produced.”
Our present dilemma asks me to question whether we understand what this perceptive leader pointed out so many years ago. When we don’t focus appropriate resources and attention to the preparation of our children in a public education system- we may be risking not adequately preparing them for the kind of world they are inheriting. A world that is very complex, faced with many challenges, extremely competitive and has a great need for citizens who can think critically, systemically and who are able to make wise decisions.
A mentor and a wise friend defines education as, “Everything that a society does to prepare its members to face the challenges of its time and place in history.”
We, as parents, teachers, siblings and members of the community all play a very significant role in our children's education. Teachers in particular play a significant role as the primary educators in our school systems.
As parents we hope that we have made the BEST choice that we can when we send our little ones off to school; whether it’s to our community school or an alternative program, we hope that we have found a good match for our children. We hope that they head off every day able to keep their sense of wonder and with some enthusiasm and creativity gain the necessary academic proficiencies needed to be global citizens.
Parents want to know that we have sent our children to school in an education system that is adequately resourced and has the supports in place to help them reach their full potential. We want choices for our kids as we know that they all learn in different ways and benefit from different experiences and teaching styles. We expect that our choice is not dependent upon whether we can afford transportation fees or other costs.
I am dedicated to public education through my own children. I am inspired to do more by the passion and devotion of parents - parents who see the challenges ahead, who see education as the only way of securing a safe and prosperous future for their children. Parents like many of you.
The recent Inspiring Education dialogue identifies the wishes and desires of people across Alberta for an education system that prepares our youth for today’s world. It advocates innovative educational environments-and the type of education that truly prepares the next generation for the problems and opportunities of their time and place in history. We look to a future that presents a more competitive world and global challenges like we have never faced before. Emerging economies are threatening to pass over the western world, but Alberta can be an island, even on its own,
To do this we need sustainable and predictable funding to be in place so that we can continue the journey that we are on in public education...moving forwards and embracing the opportunities and challenges that are ahead.
We understand that governments work with limited resources and must meet competing demands and that it is not an easy task. But Education MUST be a priority and we need to allocate our resources to reflect that reality. We all know that every dollar invested in education yields a substantial return not only for the individual but for society as a whole.
Haim G. Ginott said, “Teachers are expected to reach unattainable goals with inadequate tools. The miracle is that at times they accomplish this impossible task”.
Lets make sure they have more than ‘adequate’ tools so that they can reach attainable goals like high school completion. We need a commitment to funding for education.
Organizations can never be better than the people we have in them, and we want to continue to have the best people with the appropriate resources.
We MUST start with long-term funding commitments and from that foundation we must establish the cornerstones of solid board decision-making and resource allocation as well as teaching excellence, program & curriculum development, and caring/engaged parents who are here to prepare and support their children. We must approach this always thinking, “what can I do to improve Public Education” . We need to work together to make Alberta and our children's' future all that it can be.
~Eryn Kelly~
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