Poverty, education task force seeks public input

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This article was published 16/02/2022 (1044 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A provincial group tasked with investigating the link between poverty and student outcomes in Manitoba is seeking input from both pupils and members of the public.

Education Minister Wayne Ewasko announced Thursday the provincial task force on poverty and education, which began work around the time the 2021-22 school year got underway in autumn, is launching consultations to better understand how poverty affects youth and their education.

“Listening to and consulting with those who have lived experience with poverty is integral to this conversation, and will shape the recommendations for the government’s strategy on poverty as it relates to equity in education,” Ewasko said in a prepared release.

Upcoming consultations will include conversations with high schoolers who will be asked to share their perspectives through a variety of creative or traditional approaches including songs, poems, videos, comics, art, dance, essays, letters, short stories or social media.

The task force will also seek input from expert engagement panels, invite submissions from stakeholders and members of the public, and hold targeted engagement sessions in the spring.

Ewasko met with the chairpersons of the group to discuss shared priorities and goals earlier this week, according to the release.

The group’s findings, action ideas included, will be brought forward to the poverty reduction committee of cabinet.

Members of the task force are also collaborating with the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy to understand the depth of poverty across communities in Manitoba.