Post-secondary Education in Canada: Strategies for Success

2007 Report

Summary: Part I  Chapter 3 

Active, healthy citizenry

Healthy, productive and engaged citizens living in socially stable communities represent a competitive advantage in dynamic economies and societies. Similarly, internationally mobile, skilled workers choose communities that are safe and culturally vibrant, and which accommodate diversity.

There is growing evidence that educated citizens participate more actively in their communities and make greater contributions in activities such as volunteering and charitable giving. Higher levels of education also appear to increase tolerance for diversity and produce greater respect for local laws. As a consequence, the level of education among residents has a broad impact on a community’s social success and stability.

Some evidence to support this:

  • The percentage of people donating and the average amount donated both rise with levels of education: more than 90% of those holding a PSE certificate or degree donated to charities in 2004.
  • Individuals with higher levels of education perceive themselves to be in better health.

Figure 3.3.1  Percentage who donate and average donation, Canada, 2004


Source: Statistics Canada. Caring Canadians Involved Canadians: Highlights from the 2004 Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating, Catalogue no 71-542-XPE, 2006

  • The OECD’s 2006 Society at a Glance presents data on life satisfaction by level of education. In general, the percentage of people reporting a high level of life satisfaction increases with the level of education.

However, there is much that is not known. The current understanding of the relationships between PSE and its social outcomes rests on a relatively weak information base—data are either not available or not collected regularly enough to reflect trends.

The OECD is in the development phase of an extensive project on the social outcomes of learning, involving 13 member countries, including Canada. Once completed, this research will shed further light on the relationship between tertiary education and the social and civic outcomes of education and learning. However, at present Canada does not collect the data that the OECD will require if the project proceeds as currently envisioned.

What does this mean?

Information and analysis on the social outcomes of post-secondary education are very limited in Canada, even though there is growing recognition of the social impacts of PSE.

We do not have the information to determine the extent to which the content and experience of PSE provides the knowledge, values and competencies that lead to increased individual well-being, tolerance, and civic and social engagement.

Part I in full (PDF, 3.1 MB)

 

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