Education is one of the greatest privileges we have as a society. The apple on the desk as it were.
Privileges that go hand in hand with the new Beacon Hill Elementary School in Sylvan Lake. Bright, new and shiny. Full of possibilities.
As your MLA I fully believe that every child in Alberta should receive an education that is second to none. New facilities aim to provide just that. Modernizations, and engaging classrooms promote the learning atmosphere needed to ensure a class one environment for students. It is a place where bright young minds come together to learn new ideas and express themselves in ever widening avenues. And we aim to keep it that way.
But education only remains a privilege if it steers clear of the muddy waters of sociopolitical programming. As soon as we replace unity in diversity, with conformity on agreement, the apple loses its luster. Unity based on agreement only lasts as long as everyone holds the same opinion. As soon as one person steps outside the box, your unity vanishes. Maintaining that false sense of unity under the umbrella of agreement quickly transforms the bright apple of opportunity into the poisoned apple of standardization, sending the masses into a forced mental slumber.
If however, unity is based not upon conformity but understanding, we suddenly get an orchard.
The classroom, whether in a private, public or homeschool setting, should be a healthy learning environment for everyone. There must be an atmosphere in our education system that promotes healthy debate and understanding over agreement. Adequate facilities have to be backed up with the right support for teachers and staff, the best curriculum, and a system that focuses resources where they matter most: on students. Then and only then will students be able to respect each other in the midst of diversity and soar as a society like never before.
We have an orchard of possibilities in front of us. New ideas along with the tried and true, mingling together. In order to get the best out of our education system, we need to give it the best. We need to keep the privileges we have a privilege. After all, if we get education right, everything gets easier in the long run.
Wildrose believes in schools and programs where there is a place for every student, and where every student can reach their full potential.
Don MacIntyre, MLA
Innisfail-Sylvan Lake
#2, 160 Hewlett Park Landing
Sylvan Lake, AB, T4S 2J3
E. Innisfail.sylvanlake@assembly.ab.ca
P. 403.887.9575