The Future of Education in Ontario
Posted: October 9, 2013
Categories: Edible Education Network / Good Food Ideas for Kids / News from Sustain Ontario / Policy News
Ontario’s Ministry of Education has begun consulting with the public about building the next phase in Ontario’s Education Strategy. Formal consultations are being conducted throughout the province in October and will include members of the education, early learning and municipal sectors, as well as members of the business, research and innovation, non profit and Aboriginal communities. The Ministry has developed a list of 7 questions in an effort to solicit feedback. These include:
Q.2: What does student well-being mean to you, and what is the role of the school in supporting it?
Q.3: From your perspective, what further opportunities exist to close gaps and increase equity to support all children and students in reaching their full potential?
Q.5: What more can we all do to keep students engaged, foster their curiosity and creativity, and help them develop a love of life-long learning?
Do you have something you want to say?
Individuals can submit their feedback and ideas via an online submission form which contains the key questions that are a part of the discussions. A community consultation kit is also available if you would like to start a conversation in your community. The consultation period will continue until November 15, 2013.
This is a great opportunity to advocate for the need of basic food literacy for all Ontarians. Food awareness programs including nutrition and food preparation programming need to be included in Ontario’s education system. Not only will food literacy programming strengthen our local food system but it will surely translate to a healthier population in the medium to long term. Food literacy (understanding where food comes from, the impacts of food on health, the environment and the economy, and how to grow, prepare, and prefer healthy, safe and nutritious food) is a valuable tool in reducing the incidence of childhood obesity and other diet-related illnesses in their future.
Refer to Sustain Ontario’s Backgrounder on Food Literacy, Student Nutrition and Food Services in Schools for more information and further ideas and recommendations.
Need some inspiration? Check out FoodShare’s Recipe For Change video below.