TRUST EDUCATORS

Clearly Saskatchewan is at a crossroads in deciding the future of education in our province.

On the right, Education Minister Russ Marchuk supports policies that force Saskatchewan back to a traditional path. On the left, the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation, backed by academic research, favours continuing on a progressive, student-focused journey.

Marchuk doesn’t provide evidence to show the benefits of increased instruction time and standardized tests. He wants to raise graduation rates, particularly of aboriginal students, but doesn’t provide a concrete plan to outline how to achieve this goal.

He is right to be concerned. Aboriginal graduation rates are much lower than the provincial average. However, more instruction time and standardized tests aren’t the answer.

The best way to change the outcome is to improve upon the work we have already begun. The new provincial curricula have a strong aboriginal focus. Teacher candidates at our universities are learning best practices for creating inclusive, anti-racist, decolonized classrooms. Community schools are doing excellent work to ensure students receive healthy meals as well as the supports they need to succeed.

We need to increase these services while continuing to strive for more equity in all schools across the province. I urge Minister Marchuk to persevere on our progressive path by increasing investment in schools and teachers, removing the competitive blockades of increased instruction and standardized tests, and trusting that teachers and the STF, backed by academic research, know what is best for our students. Rhonda West Teacher candidate, U of S