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The news that representatives from provincial and territorial governments are convening a summit to discuss how they can work together to improve Canadian post-secondary education is welcome, and long overdue.
Take the example of the European Union. In 2002, the heads of state and governments of the European Union endorsed a set of common objectives for education and training in Europe, and introduced a radical new process of co-operation among the member countries. The strategy seeks to address the demands of the knowledge economy and society, and places a great deal of emphasis on strengthening post-secondary education.
The overall objective is to make education and training systems in Europe “a world quality reference by 2010.” The strategy recognizes that education and training help to deliver what people in any country desire most—“personal fulfilment, jobs, prosperity, and greater social cohesion.”
It is time for Canada to recognize and act upon what the European Union leaders have accepted—clear, coherent and consistent goals and benchmarks, involving all partners in the system and contributing to stronger outcomes for all.
Improving such outcomes at the post-secondary level increases a country’s ability to develop the skilled human resources and innovative research it needs to succeed in today’s global, knowledge-based economy.
Canada makes a major investment in post-secondary education every year— approximately $28 billion in 2005. The effectiveness of this investment could be increased significantly if all partners in education—governments, post-secondary institutions, employers, educators and learners—could work together to develop strategic goals and priorities for higher learning and research across Canada. After all, it is not only the amount of money that counts, but how that money is spent.
On the plus side, there has been rapid growth in enrolment in post-secondary institutions, showing that more and more Canadians are recognizing the value of higher education. According to the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, full-time enrolment in Canadian universities grew by approximately 23% between 2001 and 2005, from approximately 650,000 to more than 800,000 students, and ongoing growth is expected. And a study conducted by the Conference Board of Canada estimates that the number of students attending Canadian community colleges will reach 531,000 by 2009.
However, this growth puts stress on the resources available. The rising number of students means increased demand for space, professors and instructors at a time when thousands of current professors are approaching retirement. If we can’t keep pace, Canadians won’t be able to fulfil their potential and Canada won’t have the talented people it needs to succeed in the knowledge-based society and economy.
The approach taken by the EU provides a platform “to discuss education and training policies at a European level, and to build a coherent policy framework without impinging on national interests.”
It is time for Canada to follow the EU lead and develop a set of objectives for the country as a whole—irrespective of jurisdiction—that will increase the quality, capacity, responsiveness and effectiveness of our post-secondary education system.
Part of this requires regular monitoring, so Canadians can assess how well our system of higher education is meeting the needs of Canadians, both in terms of economic progress and social well-being. This is where the Canadian Council on Learning can help, with our planned annual reports on post-secondary education, the first of which is due out this fall.
Students, universities, colleges, businesses, governments and the Canadian population as a whole would benefit from a pan-Canadian strategy for post-secondary education that balances the students’ need for accessible education, the need for effective teaching, the need for innovative research, and the infrastructure required to support all of these goals. Such an approach would increase our post-secondary education system’s ability to help Canadians succeed in knowledge-based society and economy.
Canada needs clear and cohesive goals for post-secondary learning, and needs to start measuring them.
Let’s hope the provincial and territorial premiers feel the same way as they sit down to discuss a Canada-wide strategy on post-secondary education later this week.
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