that will require sustained attention over the coming decade. The division is implementing targeted interventions based on detailed analysis of which grade levels were most affected during key developmental periods. “The trends seen across Canada and North America show there are gaps that have occurred, and those will take time to work through,” Campbell notes.“We know where students were during COVID, what grade they were in, where they are now, and what impacts they might be dealing with. It will take 10-12 years for students to come through our education system who haven’t experienced COVID. We’re supporting their education appropriately.” This focus on early learning will be further enhanced by the division’s planned expansion. The new vocational high school in Ste. Anne, expected to be completed by 2028, will include early childhood education programming, preparing students for careers in this field while simultaneously addressing the region’s childcare shortage. With reports of facilities in the area having waitlists of up to 500 families, the division is strategically developing educational pathways that both remediate learning gaps and address critical workforce needs in early childhood education. ACADEMIC AND VOCATIONAL PATHWAYS Seine River School Division has moved beyond the traditional university-focused educational model to embrace a multi-pathway approach that recognizes diverse student aspirations. “We try to offer a lot of options for students,” explains Yvan St. Vincent, Principal of Ste. Anne Collegiate, which serves approximately 350 students from grades 9-12. “It used to be that if you were in high school, we were preparing you for university. We’ve seen a huge shift in that, as trades and other workforce areas have become very important. Our course offerings appeal to different student interests and passions.” The division’s comprehensive approach includes specialized programming in family studies and food nutrition alongside traditional academic subjects and technical training. St. Vincent highlights the value of these practical courses in building life skills that benefit all students regardless of career path. “Those courses are important for all our students because at some point they will start their own families, and these courses help anchor them for those lifestyle choices,” St. Vincent says. “We also offer wood and metal work because those areas are important to many learners. We try to offer something for all students and not pigeonhole that we’re producing 100 percent university students or 100 percent trade students.” The division’s apprenticeship program stands as a cornerstone of its vocational education strategy, providing real-world experience alongside academic studies. The program’s substantial enrollment demonstrates the region’s strong demand for skilled workers. 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 06
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