Challenging the status quo

Panel discussion goes Thursday in Charlottetown

The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a panel discussion on the education system on Thursday.

It’s called Let’s Talk K-12 Education – A conversation challenging the status quo of P.E.I.’s education system.

Over the past number of years, members of the chamber, who are entrepreneurs, business leaders, employers and parents, have raised concerns about the province’s K-12 educational outcomes. Concerns have focused on provincial assessment results as well as lack of preparedness for postsecondary education and the workplace.

The event will be held at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. The panel begins at 5 p.m.

“Ensuring our students have the skills they need for future success is an important determinant of current and future economic sustainability,’’ said Rory Francis, president of the chamber.

“Our members know that the quality of our education system and the economic well-being of our province are closely intertwined.”

Panelists will include Paul Bennett, founding director of Schoolhouse Institute, Amber Jadis, founder of the P.E.I. Steam program, local business owner and educational practitioner with Bricks4Kids, and Tess Miller, associate professor with UPEI’s faculty of education.

The panel will be moderated by Dawn Binns, a partner with Insight Branding & Marketing Studio and chairwoman of the chamber’s policy committee.

The event is free, but attendees are asked to register at www.charlottetownchamber.com.