Saskatchewan unveils new online education system

The Saskatchewan government has finalized its plans for a centralized online education program.

On Wednesday, the government announced it had established a new Crown corporation that will oversee the system after a planned acquisition of the Sun West School Division’s Distance Learning Centre (DLC).

The Saskatchewan Distance Learning Corporation will be the main hub for online education in the province. The main office is to be in Kenaston, with satellite offices to open around the province.

“The DLC is a well-established operation with skilled staff, robust technology, and a wealth of courses to provide a ready-made foundation for the centralized model,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said in a media release.

“This acquisition ensures that all students will have access to high-quality online education regardless of where they are living in the province.”

Distance learning will be free to any interested students. The government expects most of the students will come from public school divisions, but separate school divisions, the Conseil des Écoles fransaskoises and qualified independent schools can offer online learning after applying to the Ministry of Education. That application process will ensure the programs meet provincial quality assurances.

The DLC platform offers more than 180 online courses for students from kindergarten to Grade 12, with more than 70 high school electives. Students who attend the new school will be able to go through their local school division for driver’s licence training, graduation ceremonies and extracurricular activities.

“Teachers, regardless of where they live, will have employment opportunities to work for the online school in the coming months,” the government’s release said. “Student registration is also anticipated to open in the coming months.”

More information can be found here.