The provincial government plans to create a number of task forces and advisory panels to help flesh out their K-12 Education Review… a document that itself resulted from similar public consultations in 2019.

If that sounds confusing to you, you are not alone. Criticisms surrounding the government’s strategy question their need to review a review. Education Minister Cliff Cullen, however, assures naysayers that his government is not duplicating work, it is instead making an attempt at accomplishing a handful of very condensed objectives.

“The review itself outlines a lot of goals but it does not provide a road map in terms of how to accomplish those goals,” details the minister. “We are determined to reach those goals but we have to design the road map along the way and that is why we are reaching out to educators, parents, and experts in their respective fields.”

In recent days and weeks, many have slammed Bill 64, The Education Modernization Act, for not truly taking into account the opinions the reviews’ participants. The suggestion is that eliminating regional trustees and amalgamating divisions was an idea that came from the province and did not result from the consultation.

While Cullen would not comment directly on the notion of a predetermined outcome, he says the public has become too focused on Bill 64 which is a single facet of a much larger strategy.

“Today, we are trying to remind Manitobans that there is a lot more to providing positive outcomes for our students and we are engaging Manitobans in that.”

Insisting that he does in fact care about the public’s opinion, Cullen intends to create a Parent Engagement Task Force consisting of MLAs, parents, community leaders, and educators. The task force will lead 15 regional town halls to hear each region’s perspective on how to best improve parental voice and engagement while respecting their time. This group will also host workshops with Parent Advisory Councils and school leaders to explore parental involvement.

The province meanwhile will create several more advisory groups to grapple with other educational priorities including:
-the Minister’s Advisory Council on Inclusive Education,
-the Task Force on Poverty and Education,
-the Provincial Curriculum Advisory Panel,
-the Funding Review Team, and
-the Student Advisory Council.

“Manitobans can be assured that this process will be inclusive, balanced, flexible and transparent,” states Cullen. “We want to continue to listen to all Manitobans about how we can improve our education system to ensure our students have the best chance to succeed.”

The conclusions of these still-to-be-formed groups will be publicized before the start of the coming school year.