New Sask. Crown corporation to oversee online learning
The Government of Saskatchewan will have a new Crown corporation to oversee online education.
The Saskatchewan Distance Learning Corporation (DLC) will be a central hub for online learning in the province.
The province will be acquiring Sun West School Divisions Distance Learning Centre.
“The DLC is a well established operation with skilled staff, robust technology, and a wealth of courses to provide a ready made foundation of the centralized model,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said in a press release.
“This acquisition ensures that all students will have access to high quality online education regardless of where they are living in the province.”
However, not everyone is on board.
Kate Methot has two daughters who attend Flex Education, a private institution based in Saskatoon.
Methot said her family feels like the government is taking away another choice.
“It feels like they're trying to remove our freedom to choose what is best for our families and for our children,” Methot explained. “It feels like another attack by the governments on us as families and as parents and as individuals.”
With the new corporation, Flex Education may soon be unavailable to students.
All Saskatchewan students will have access to the DLC.
Independent schools may still be allowed to offer programs, however institutions like Flex Education said there has been no communication.
“We have been waiting for assurance and we have not received that yet,” Ann Cook, principal of Flex Education said. “The other reason we are disappointed is we have 17 years of proven success in online education and we have been ignored by the government.”
The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) has expressed concerns over the new Crown corporation.
“It seems government is proceeding blindly, the announcement and aggressive timelines of this project suggests a lack of awareness of the current state of public education in Saskatchewan,” President of the STF Samantha Becotte said in a press release.
“I hear the word 'triage' regularly from teachers, it’s clear to me kids aren’t getting the help they need. There are very real and urgent issues that need to be addressed now.”
STF said recent cuts to education, combined with years of underfunding have created a situation where students are not receiving enough one-on-one education.
“Another layer of complexity to a system that is already underfunded, we need a good investment into public education and we need to make sure that all of our students needs are addressed,” Becotte said.
DLC’s platform currently offers more than 180 courses for kindergarten to Grade 12. Students will also have access to driver’s training, graduation ceremonies and extracurricular activities.
Darren Gasper from the Sun West School Division oversees the work to determine the operating structure.
He said communication with school boards have been consistent.
“Really good discussions with each of the school divisions that are involved in this and we've spent some really quality meeting time with each of them learning about their programs, learning about the great work and services that they provide to students in their local area,” Gasper said.
Cook believes the Crown will take away a critical choice for parents, one that could have an impact on children.
“It is going to essentially leave students behind, and families and parents will not have choice anymore in online learning and how it is delivered to them,” Cook said.
The head office will be located in Kenaston, Sask. with additional locations throughout the province.
The Ministry of Education said they would continue to consult with stakeholders, teachers, and the STF.
Student registration is set to open in the coming months.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.