Education No more consultation, post-secondary plans are final, says minister in charge

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MEGAN O'TOOLE
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL

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FREDERICTON - Despite protests over the government's post-secondary education plan, the decision to follow through is final, says the provincial minister in charge of the file.

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Ed Doherty

"The consultative period is over," Ed Doherty said. "It's now time for action."

His decisive words come in the wake of harsh criticism by university faculty associations, which have denounced the strategy over a funding shortfall and accountability measures that include requiring schools to produce five-year strategic plans that line up with the government's agenda.

Academics have also criticized the plan's emphasis on tailoring courses to specific labour-market needs, a move some say erodes academic freedom.

Further complicating matters are questions about the finality of the plan. Because the government released its policy in tandem with the recommendations of a working group set up to study higher education, some people - including Jim Turk, executive director of the Canadian Association of University Teachers - were left with the impression that what they were hearing was a set of proposals, not formal policy.

In a recent interview, Doherty confirmed the plan was final and contended the government was justified in releasing both documents together.

"A great deal of thought has gone into it. There has been adequate consultation," Doherty said, pointing to the Commission on Post-Secondary Education, which released a report last year that incited a swift public response that spurred the government to form a working group.

Turk disagreed, noting a lack of consultation was evident in the massive opposition the plan has already generated. The outcry will continue to grow if the government plows ahead with implementation, he added.

"It's fine for the minister to say this is what's going to happen, but the government will have to see what the response is, and it may have to adjust the plan based on that response," Turk said.

Concern has been expressed by professors, the public, and even university presidents, he added, noting that, despite what Doherty says, "we'll have to see" if the government actually puts the controversial measures in place.

"It will implement this at its own peril," Turk said. "Governments can work when they have the co-operation of those they are working with. What they're putting forward here in many ways appears to undermine post-secondary education in the province."

St. Thomas University spokesman Jeffrey Carleton said he had also been under the impression that the plan was a set of proposals, not firm policy.

"You simply cannot go to faculties and say this is the way it's going to be," Carleton said. "There will have to be time to go into details and discussion."

Carleton pointed to problems with funding, autonomy, and student voice that pervade the government's strategy, noting a number of consultations on the plan have been set up at St. Thomas involving students, faculty and alumni.

"How can we as a university say to students: 'Be critical thinkers and be engaged in public policy, but don't become engaged in this?'" Carleton asked.

According to Opposition critic Margaret-Ann Blaney, the government should have given a window for input between the release of the working group's report and the creation of a formal policy, noting consultations were "eclipsed entirely."

"Government was well aware there was a desire for New Brunswickers to have a look at that report's contents before the government gave its response," Blaney said, noting the decision to release both at the same time indicates a desire on the part of government to ram its policy through. "It seems that was by design."