Islanders sought for new education advisory council

Islanders who want to be part of P.E.I.'s new education model now have a chance to put their name forward to be on the Learning Partners Advisory Council.

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Members will give advice to the premier on long-term education strategies and programs to help ensure the success of Island students.

Looking at the entire spectrum of learning from birth all the way to the workforce. Bill Whelan,Learning Partners Advisory Council co-chair

The Learning Partners Advisory Council is one of three advisory bodies being formed as part of major changes being made to the province's education system announced in November.

"The main purpose of this council is really to provide advice to government around broad policies on learning and education," said Bill Whelan, who's already been named the council's co-chair, along with Premier Wade MacLauchlan.

"Everything from establishing targets or benchmarks for learning and education, looking at the entire spectrum of learning from birth all the way to the workforce," said Whelan.

Government will choose 10 representatives from educational organizations such as the P.E.I. Teachers' Federation and P.E.I. Home and School Federation, as well as 10 residents from across P.E.I.

The application form asks organizations to "describe your nominee's experience as a learning champion."

The council will hold its inaugural meetingin January. The council will have 20 members and will meet three times a year.Members will be appointed for two- or three-year terms.

The government is now accepting nominations and applications through its employment website for government agencies, boards and commissions, called Engage PEI.The site says it will beginreviewingnominations Dec.18, and.
nominations will continue to be accepted until all positions are filled.