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Andrew Thomson  Minister
of Learning
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The Evolution of Education: Keeping Pace in the 21st Century
In this era of increasing change, characterized by globalization and advances in technology, the role of formal education has evolved beyond the provision of basic instruction in reading, writing and arithmetic. The complexity of the modern world demands an unprecedented — and increasingly comprehensive — response from our education systems if we are to meet head-on the challenges of the future. The 47th International Conference on Education (ICE) provides a valuable and timely opportunity for the world’s nations to join together to explore, examine and discuss the challenges of delivering quality education to young people throughout the world.
Canada is a geographically vast and culturally diverse nation where responsibility for education is decentralized, vested in our provinces and territories. Our education systems reflect the diversity of their regions and respond to local needs. In all regions, however, there are many shared challenges that we work collectively to address through the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC). Through CMEC, ministers of education come together nationally to discuss common issues, share successes and lessons learned, and provide leadership.
It is a universal tenet that education better enables people to fully participate in, and benefit from, their society. In today's knowledge-based economy, education has become integral to the social, cultural, and economic development of individuals, nations, and —ultimately — the world.
In Canada, as throughout the world, the goal is to provide learning opportunities and the quality of education necessary to ensure the well-being and success of all our citizens. The jurisdictions responsible for education across Canada are increasing their emphasis on quality education, student success, partnerships, school-community links, transitions from school to work or higher education, and public accountability. Canada has long embraced the model of lifelong learning that enables and encourages adaptation to a rapidly changing world.
Governments and educators are increasingly aware that the healthy development of children is crucial to the future well-being of any society. Indeed, social cohesion, the construction of peace, and education for sustainable development are major themes of the 47th International Conference on Education.
In my home province of Saskatchewan, we believe that schools should serve not only to educate children and youth but also to act as community centres for the delivery of services that are family-focused in social, health, recreational, cultural and justice matters. To that end, we have developed SchoolPLUS, a provincial initiative that recognizes the dual role of the school — providing public education and serving as the centre of the community and the hub of services and supports for the children, the families and the community it serves. In Saskatchewan, SchoolPLUS helps address the issue of social cohesion and inclusion of all youth in the educational system, including the unique needs of children who are socially and economically disadvantaged.
As we work globally toward a more prosperous, equitable, and peaceful future, ministries of education must ensure that their education systems support all their citizens in becoming skilled and knowledgeable participants in their society. Our challenge is to do so in a way that is responsive to the needs of local communities, is relevant to youth, and is results-oriented.