Atlantic Ministers of Education and Training reaffirm their
commitment to advance post-secondary education issues

Education Minister Joan Burke reports that, at a recent meeting of the Council of Atlantic Ministers of Education and Training (CAMET), ministers reaffirmed their commitment to working with the newly-elected federal government on federal funding to provinces and territories for post-secondary education and training.

The ministers consider the election of the new government a great opportunity to increase awareness of Atlantic post-secondary education priorities. The ministers also reviewed the Conservative party election platform on post-secondary education and believe that it represents a good starting point for federal-provincial discussions.

"From a provincial perspective, affordability and accessibility are two key goals for post-secondary learning. Education is the key to our future economic development and success, and post-secondary education has a critical role to play. We will continue to engage our regional and federal partners to advance and strengthen our post-secondary system," said Minister Burke.

The ministers also met with representatives of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, the Association of Atlantic Universities, the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, and the Atlantic Provinces Community College Consortium. During the meeting, the Atlantic ministers presented a number of priority areas to support students and institutions, and emphasized the unique needs of this region. These priorities include:

• Post-secondary infrastructure and renewal � an urgent need for renewal of facilities and an upgrade of technology to increase the ability of the region�s institutions to provide adequate access and relevant training;
• Adult literacy programs � with an emphasis on broadening the delivery of services and raising adult literacy levels in a meaningful and measurable way;
• Skills development � by investing in resources to improve assessment and recognition of prior learning, to increase learning in essential workplace skills, and to improve current research methods and practices in apprenticeship training;
• Research and development capacity � to support Atlantic R&D activity and increase economic development in the area of advanced manufacturing, enhancing the level of knowledge industries, life sciences and value-added natural resources.

The meeting also provided a good opportunity for these organizations and ministers to arrive at a common understanding of issues and priorities prior to the National Summit on Post-Secondary Education and Training to be held in Ottawa later this month. Ministers believe that these partners are key in any future debates on post-secondary education with the federal government and agree that is very important to put forward common priorities.

"The Atlantic Provinces have a long history of working together for the benefit of education systems throughout the region, and I look forward to our continued cooperation for the benefit of all our post-secondary students," said the minister.

CAMET is composed of the Atlantic ministers of education and training and works to identify regional needs and priorities, presenting a united voice on the national scene.

Media contact: Jacquelyn Howard, Communications (709) 729-0048, 689-2624

2006 02 10                             4:35 p.m.