Alberta Students Encouraged to Speak Out

"Youth are essential" was the theme at Edmonton's Harry Ainlay Senior High School at the end of November. The Minister of Education, Dave Hancock, made this very clear as he launched Speak Out, a new initiative to improve the high-school experience for all involved.

"Alberta's youth must have a voice in the decisions that affect their learning and their futures," he said. "Speak Out is an opportunity for students to tell us how we can offer education programs that are supportive, flexible and consistent with their needs."

The government is determined to reach students through any means possible, and has launched a new website called www.speakout.alberta.ca. The site is equipped to discuss issues such as the curriculum, the future and students' goals and aspirations. It is aimed at youth 14 to 19 and caters to a large demographic of teens, including those who do not attend school.

The government's main objective is to encourage youth participation, so that students are well informed about what works for them, and what doesn't. This means that any changes made in the education arena are made by taking the opinions of youth into consideration, which is pretty cool.

Beyond the website, Alberta Education will host a conference in May 2009 for about 200 youth, where student concerns and ideas will be discussed. Additionally, the government is going to create a student council with about 22 representatives from varying walks of life. These reps will meet with the Minister several times a year to discuss the issues that plague teenagers these days. To register for the conference or the council, all you have to do is scope out the website.

So, teens, here's your chance - if you want to be heard, speak out!