New Council Announced for Students

Nova Scotia high-school students are gaining a direct voice to government and more leadership opportunities through the new Provincial Student Education Council.

Education Minister Jane Purves announced today that the council will give high-school students a forum for sharing their concerns and ideas for public education directly to government. The council will also help to develop a better network for sharing information on education issues with high-school students across the province.

"We want to make changes in education that will improve students' learning and their experience in school," said Ms. Purves. "Students will be directly affected by these changes and I believe they have good ideas, so I want to hear what they have to say."

The council's mandate is to meet regularly and provide advice to the minister through semi-annual meetings. It will also organize conferences and workshops for high-school students on such leadership skills as communications, public speaking, interpersonal relations, group dynamics, goal setting, event planning, fund-raising and boosting school spirit.

Students from several area high schools joined the minister for the announcement today at J. L. Ilsley High School in Halifax. Kelsey Tonner, chair of external affairs for the Nova Scotia Secondary Students Association, commented on the opportunities the new council will give students.

"Having the opportunity to voice our thoughts, ideas and opinions is something that we find very important," said Mr. Tonner. "Through the council, the students of Nova Scotia will now have that opportunity. We are excited to be involved in this new project and we are optimistic that it will prove to be successful in the years to come."

The Nova Scotia Secondary Students Association, whose mandate is to promote youth leadership, will play a key role in the new council. The association's provincial cabinet of 22 students will form the basis of the council's membership.

The minister may choose to appoint up to five more high-school students to ensure representation from Mi'kmaq, African Nova Scotian and Acadian communities. After the first year, the council will appoint up to five students who have already served to ensure continuity into the next year.

Applications for ministerial appointments to the council will soon be sent to Nova Scotia high schools. Appointments should be made in time for the council's first meeting planned for April.

Forming the Student Education Council continues government's commitment to ensuring that all stakeholders in Nova Scotia's education system have a say in how that system operates. In 2000, the department created the Education Partnership Forum representing parents, teachers and administrators. The forum discusses education issues with the minister, deputy minister and senior department staff.