Parents, students and all Nova Scotians who have an opinion on the province’s education system have five more days to fill out the survey that will help shape the future of education.
With the help of social media, the survey from the Minister’s Panel on Education has had the highest level of public engagement in the province’s education system in a generation.
Education Panel chair Myra Freeman today, June 9, thanked the more than 17,000 Nova Scotians who have filled out the survey and encouraged even more people to participate by Friday, June 13, when the survey closes.
“The overwhelming response from Nova Scotians to the survey reaffirms the passion people of this province have for our education system,” said Ms. Freeman. “I want to remind and encourage all Nova Scotians that there is still time to share their thoughts on what the education system needs to do better to prepare today’s students to become the leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators and skilled tradespeople of tomorrow.”
The majority of responses received so far have been from the on-line survey, but the panel has also heard from Nova Scotians by e-mail, phone, letters and through discussion guides.
As of 9 a.m., Friday, June 6, the panel received 17,485 submissions from people across the province, including students, parents, teachers, administrators and community leaders.
Ms. Freeman said the panel is thrilled with the high participation, but it is still appealing to Nova Scotians to fill out the survey by the end of the week to ensure it get as much representation from across the province as possible.
“On behalf of the panel members, I want to thank each and every Nova Scotian for their support and for taking the time to fill out this important survey,” said Ms. Freeman. “Your thoughts, ideas and opinions are helping to shape the future of education, now and for years to come.”
After the survey closes Friday, the panel will analyze the data and submissions during the summer. It will identify themes and major areas of concerns in the survey, and submit a report to Education and Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey in October.
After the minister reviews the report, experts will be assigned to find solutions to the concerns and help develop an Action Plan on Education.
The Minister’s Panel on Education was named by Ms. Casey on Feb. 19 to find out what Nova Scotians think is working and what needs improvement in the education system.
The survey, discussion guide and submission information is available at http://www.novascotia.ca/review .
Source: Release
