Priorities

Setting priorities for Post-Secondary Education in Alberta

Alberta is facing an exciting and interesting year politically and economically as our province will see new leaders for many of its political parties, a new Premier and their government, a recovering economy and the chance of a provincial election on the horizon.

It is an interesting year at Alberta’s universities as well, with increased enrolment, exciting research and education opportunities. There are also challenges for our students, with ever-increasing costs putting at risk the opportunities many Albertans will have to attend a post-secondary institution and complete their studies.

Most importantly, this year represents an unparalleled opportunity for our province and our post-secondary students. The economic challenges have reinforced the need to invest in post-secondary education and its students in order to have a diverse, knowledge-based economy that can thrive in a global marketplace.
There are also more opportunities for students to get involved in their communities with the potential election and other political developments. Now represents the right time for our students to take notice and have their voice heard in deciding our future.

This year CAUS is calling on the Government of Alberta to set the ambitious goal of having the highest post-secondary education rate in Canada. Right now, we have the lowest rate with only 16.9% of Albertans between the ages of 18 and 34 enrolled in a post-secondary program. In Quebec it is 24.7%. We also believe that we need to do a better job of removing the barriers for students to finish their degree. Only 63% of students working on their undergraduate degree successfully graduate and we know we can do better. To do better we are going to need to improve the affordability and accessibility of the post-secondary system at the same time as protect the quality of the education received in our universities.

CAUS’ immediate priorities to support those goals are:

• Regulate non-instructional fees;
• Increase non-repayable grants; and
• Improve Alberta’s Elections Act to make voting easier for students

CAUS has already begun advocating on these priorities to government, but we need your help to make these priorities a reality for our system.

We are also beginning the work necessary for organizing students to vote in the next provincial election. It is important that the over 250,000 students in Alberta stand up and be counted and CAUS and we are ready to do its part in getting students out to the polls in the next election.

DOWNLOAD