The Saskatchewan Teachers Federation will conduct a study to see how private sector involvement in the public school system will affect education.
Private sector involvement can take many forms, ranging from the establishment of public-private partnership schools to commercial agreements that allow vending machines on school property.
STF general secretary Gwen Dueck said the concept of P3 schools has emerged in correspondence and meetings.
The study, approved at the STF’s annual council meeting last month, will look at existing P3 scenarios across Canada and assess their impact on the quality of public education.
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“We have heard references by the provincial government to the notion of P3 schools being considered for public institutions and we have some concerns… so the study will help us to define what those concerns really are,” said Dueck.
“At this point, we want to learn more about the concept, analyze it and figure out if… it’s congruent with our policies and with the beliefs of the profession.”
The study is likely to be completed next year and will help the STF determine if any further action is required.
STF council members also passed a resolution approving a second study looking at the province’s decision to reduce the minimum age of employment to 15 in hotels, restaurants, educational institutions, hospitals and nursing homes.
When the change was announced, Saskatchewan employment and labour minister Rob Norris said it was important that Saskatchewan’s young people be given an opportunity to supplement their formal education by gaining work experience.
“Lowering the minimum age of employment gives Saskatchewan young people valuable opportunities to obtain work experience while filling gaps in the labour market.”
Dueck said the STF wants to know how a lower working age will affect public education, including student learning, school enrolments and dropout rates.
“We want to know what the implications are for teaching and learning environments,” she said.
The province is consulting with various groups on the labour issue and has scheduled a meeting with STF representatives. Norris has indicated that the changes will be reviewed this month.
Under the new labour rules, 15 year olds will not be allowed to work more than 16 hours per week. That measure is designed to ensure that students don’t compromise their education and have sufficient time to dedicate to school and homework.
