Provincial Advisory Council on Education

Department

Authority

Remuneration

Purpose:

Provincial Advisory Council on Education (PACE) will play an advisory role to the Minister of Education on all matters concerning K-12 education.

The role of the PACE is set out in section 116.1(1) of the Schools Act, 1997, and Section 6 of the Provincial Advisory Council Regulations.

PACE shall advise the minister on matters related to primary, elementary and secondary education, including

1. those matters referred to the provincial advisory council by the minister;
2. regional and local matters that affect primary, elementary and secondary education;
3. any other educational matters that the provincial advisory council considers necessary to bring to the attention of the minister;
4. provide advice to the minister to enhance
   • the quality of school programs,
   • the learning environment, and
   • the level of student achievement in schools;
5. communicate and collaborate with school councils; and
6. provide a means for school councils to provide input to the provincial advisory council.

PACE will facilitate meaningful engagement among parents, community members, school councils, and the Department of Education.

By having a close connection and establishing links with the school community, PACE will be able to directly reach school councils to gain a better understanding of the concerns and developments respecting K-12 education in a timely manner.

Structure:

The composition of PACE will be comprised of:  

• one member of school council from each region as recommended by the chairs of school councils in the region and appointed by the Minister;
• one member of school council recommended by the chairs of the French first language school councils and appointed by the Minister; and
• up to seven members of the general public appointed by the Minister.

Competency Profile:

Members of PACE should collectively possess the following core competencies:

• Knowledge of the education system;
• Knowledge of current business climate and innovation;
• Human Resources;
• Finance/Investment;
• Health/Well-being; and
• Legal Expertise

Qualifications:

Key personal attributes required of PACE members include:

• High ethical standards and integrity;
• Appreciation of the responsibilities to the public;
• Flexible, responsive and willing to consider others’ opinions;
• Capable of a wide perspective on issues;
• Ability to listen and work as a team member;
• No direct or indirect conflict of interest; and
• Strong reasoning skills.

Time Commitments:

PACE meet at least three times a year and possibly other times, as deemed necessary. Members may also be expected to spend additional time to prepare for meetings.

Term:

In accordance with Section 4(4) of the Provincial Advisory Council Regulations, member of the PACE shall be appointed for a term of up to 3 years.

Vacancy Profile:

The Department of Education is seeking to fill five positions with expressions of interest being sought from individuals who possess the background, experience and skill-set identified in the above profile and who can bring unique perspectives to the table.

Consideration will also be given to a variety of demographic factors to ensure the board is representative of the population they serve.