Panel putting state of N.L. public education in the spotlight

Public meetings on the state of the province's public educationkicked off Tuesday night in Corner Brook, with 11 more stops scheduled until Nov. 2.

The Panel on the Status of Public Education in Newfoundland and Labrador is a combined effort from the province's teacher's association (NLTA), the province's Federation of School Councils, and Memorial University's Faculty of Education.

"Education reform is usually an issue pushed by political parties andpoliticians and we found that it's not having the depth and richness of discussion that it deserves," said panel chair, and president of the NLTA, Jim Dinn.

Dinn told The Corner Brook Morning Show the panel wants to raise fundamental questions about whateducation really means, ahead of the provincial election.

"Is it to prepare students for the workforce? Is it about passing certain key curriculum tests,core tests, and core subjects? Is it about developing thoughtful, compassionate human beings who can participate in all aspects of society, including an election?" said Dinn.

First panela success

Dinn said he's pleased with the first talk, which saw about 25 people come out Tuesday evening at Corner Brook's Glynmill Inn.

"We had parents talking about the ability of the schools, and the resources of the schoolsto deal with children with severe needs, such as diabetes," said Dinn, who added teacher librarians, school councilsand class sizes were also discussed.

Dinn said it was an interactive, lively night.

"Spontaneously, discussion broke out. Instead of the panel asking questions, people were asking questions of the presenters. It was a very organic,positive and enjoyable discussion," said Dinn.

Next steps

The public is welcome to attend the panel's stops in communities across Newfoundland and Labrador, or submit thoughts online.

When the panel wraps on Nov. 2, Dinn said an independent researcher will compile all the information gleaned from the sessions.

That will then be formatted into a report due in a few weeks' time, for use after the provincial election on Nov. 30.

"We'll have a report that we can use in our discussions with whoever forms the next government in this province, and talk about: here are the findings that we've got, that this panel found, and here's where we need to go, when we talk about education," said Dinn.

The remaining stops are as follows, and all start at 6:30 p.m.:

• Oct. 14, St. Anthony: Grenfell Heritage Conference Room
• Oct. 19, Carbonear: Fong's Restaurant
• Oct. 20, Clarenville: Clarenville Inn
• Oct. 21, Harbour Breton:Southern Port Hotel
• Oct. 22, Grand Falls-Windsor:Mount Peyton Hotel
• Oct. 26, Mount Pearl: Hotel Mount Pearl
• Oct. 27, St. John's: Capital Hotel
• Oct. 29, Goose Bay: Hotel North 2
• Oct. 30, Labrador City: Two Seasons Inn
• Oct. 30, Nain: Atsanik Lodge
• Nov. 2, Port aux Basques:Hotel Port aux Basques