72nd Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada
NEWS RELEASE – WORK TO BEGIN ON PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS FOR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
Ministers of education have agreed to launch a project to articulate a set of public expectations for the postsecondary education systems. The project was announced at the 72nd meeting of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) held today in Saskatoon. Quebec will continue to participate in the project as an observer.
The Postsecondary Expectations Project (PEP) sets an important precedent because it is the first time that provincial and territorial ministers have collaborated in this area. The ministers agreed that the postsecondary education sector must be aware of and responsive to public needs and priorities.
"In the information age the role and contributions of our postsecondary institutions are vital to our competitiveness," said the Honourable J. Chester Gillan, Chair of the CMEC.
Provinces and territories have been reviewing their postsecondary education systems and the CMEC project will be built on and enhance their initiatives as well as draw on the experiences of other countries. The focus of Phase I of the project was gathering and exchanging information. Phase II, the ministers agreed, will include work on specific themes and consultation with stakeholders.
The project will identify priorities for joint policy analysis and development among jurisdictions in areas such as access, accountability and research. It will also provide a framework for the evolution and improvement of measures of outcomes and impacts that are sensitive to the public policy issues in postsecondary education. Finally, the project aims to enhance the postsecondary education systems by promoting innovative partnerships.
"We need a clear statement of what is in the interest of the public," said Mr. Gillan, who is outgoing Chair of CMEC and the Prince Edward Island Minister of Education. "That is what the postsecondary expectations project is all about."
CMEC is an intergovernmental body made up of the ministers of education and advanced education from the provinces and the territories. Through CMEC, ministers share information and undertake projects in areas of mutual interest and concern.
Lara Inglis, CMEC 252 Bloor West, Suite 5-200, Toronto, Canada M5S 1V5 Té1éphone 416-964-2551 Fax 416-964-2296
Tel.: (416) 964-2551, ext. 256
E-mail address: lara@cmec.ca
E-mail: cmec@cmec.ca