High Schools and Business Could be Partners
BY KIRK CAMERON
The Yukon Liberal Party believes in comprehensive “cradle to grave” education.
In a rapidly changing world where basic information growth alone is exponential, and innovative technology has profoundly transformed society, we cannot afford to look at education as anything but a lifelong pursuit.
Given this reality, it is critical for our public education system to prepare our youth for all possible career paths, including business and entrepreneurship.
The current system is deficient in two important ways:
First, despite the strong efforts of our teachers and school administrators, our high schools, for which the government is responsible, does not provide a curriculum focus on business whereby our youth can see entrepreneurship as a viable career option and be equipped with the “tools” necessary to pursue business as that preferred career option.
Second, the system does not give exposure to our youth in the world of business.
Experiential learning has long been recognized as an important aspect of preparing our youth for their futures. Indeed, experiential learning is an excellent vehicle for retaining many students who otherwise drop out because they do not see the relevance of education (how many of us have heard our children ask, “Why do I have to learn math? Where can I use this???”).
Exposure to our business community, perhaps through a program developed in partnership with the Yukon Chamber of Commerce, could open an important door for many Yukon youth.
This preparation of our youth for business is a critically important part of the future of Yukon’s economy. If we do this right, it will be preparing future generations to apply their energy, knowledge and enthusiasm to building business here in the territory.
Our persistent reliance on federal transfers as the base for our economy, does not help us reach economic maturity. We need to develop a culture of entrepreneurship to propel Yukon into a new era of economic depth and security.
Over the long term, this is our next big challenge.
Kirk Cameron is the president of the Yukon Liberal Party.
Lifelong Learning in an Ever-Changing World
BY PATRICK ROUBLE
 I remember asking Ms. Farber, my math teacher, how studying quadratic equations would help me in my future career as a marketing executive.
She knew that in this “Information Age”, there is a tremendous amount of knowledge to learn and an extremely diverse set of skills to develop. The phrase, “lifelong learning”, is more than an academic catchphrase; it is a constant reality. Just ask anyone who has switched to Windows 7.
We all want the best for our students and expect that our education system will play its role in preparing them for life and employment.
Educators, community members, parents and others have recently examined the question and its answers in the recent Education Reform Project and, more thoroughly, in the One Vision, Multiple Pathways report.
They are a must read. Their conclusions clearly demonstrate the changing needs and expectations of high school.
The Department of Education is actively responding by creating a more responsive and engaging education system; one that sets the foundation for lifelong learning and enables all learners to succeed through a variety of paths.
In addition to small class sizes and teachers who are engaged, Yukon schools offer distance education, computer-based learning and video conferencing which allow students from across Yukon to engage in diverse courses. In addition to acquiring knowledge around certain subjects, students develop important transferable skills such as literacy, numeracy, communicating, researching and critical thinking.
When Ms. Farber answered my question, she explained that in addition to teaching me how to do quadratic equations, she was teaching me how to analyze a situation, to identify the variables in question, to figure out the problem that needed to be solved, to take the necessary steps to solve the problem and then to share my answers with others.
And she was right.
Even though I haven’t had to solve ax2 +bx+c=0 for over 20 years, the other skills she taught me have been practised every day.
The Department of Education’s vision is for all Yukon people to possess a desire for, and appreciation of, lifelong learning, a strong commitment to their communities, their culture and the knowledge and skills needed to live meaningful, productive and rewarding lives.
In short, our goal is to help prepare Yukon students for Yukon opportunities and responsibilities.
Patrick Rouble is the Yukon Government's minister of education.
Students Need Family, Business and Community
BY ELIZABETH HANSON
A healthy and vibrant Yukon economy depends upon an educational system that prepares Yukon students to be effective and contributing members of the community. This includes the world of business, whether that business is mining, day care or any of the vast range of private and public sector occupations. 
To achieve this, we expect our schools to ensure students acquire basic skills as well as the critical thinking skills essential to effectively participate in a work, educational and world environment that is in constant flux.
The Yukon New Democratic Party believes Yukon needs to expand the education opportunities available to students throughout the Yukon.
There is potential for new and creative educational partnerships in all communities throughout Yukon. For example, expanding opportunities for skills training and apprenticeships, Yukon can take a leadership role in responding to the critical shortage of skilled tradespeople that is facing Yukon.
Exposure in high school to a range of options built on a solid core curriculum would enable students to leave school with the skills they need to participate in the labour force as well as being able to adapt to changes in the labour market.
Despite efforts by educators to provide innovative and relevant programming, Yukon graduation rates still fall far short of what is needed. Reviews, studies and reports into all aspects of Yukon education have consistently pointed out that factors outside the four walls of our schools play a significant part in determining successful educational outcomes.
If families, business and communities were to work together, the complex social issues many students face can be addressed resulting in high school graduates who are prepared for full civic and economic participation - benefiting all Yukon, including business.
Elizabeth Hanson is the leader of the Yukon New Democratic Party.
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