COVID-19’s sway over the world’s economy is phenomenal.
Job losses, redundancies and wage cuts in all Canadian sectors have contributed to financial insecurity for many in the years to come.
Saskatchewan’s postsecondary institutions, renowned throughout Canada and the world for offering quality education, are suffering from the consequences of COVID-19.
The province’s colleges, polytechnics and universities will always be wellsprings of pride for many in Saskatchewan.
These successful and financially sound institutions will soon return to days of massive enrolments, academic achievements and important research, just as they have for many years, but during the next two-three years (or more), the province’s postsecondary institutions will face previously unknown challenges.
Until recently, Saskatchewan’s universities were confidently gouging students with higher fees, even after admissions rose.
David Baxter reporting for Global News said tuition costs escalated at the University of Regina from September 2014 to 2018 at rates of 14.3 per cent per semester. The University of Saskatchewan saw tuition rates for basic arts and science programs rise by 12.2 per cent.
The University of Saskatchewan promised to cut costs in the latter part of May because of the coronavirus, but these figures were miniscule and insulting.
In an email sent in late May 2020, tuition and fees for undergrads at the U of S would decrease by 0.2 per cent – estimated as $18 less than in 2019-2020, according to Laura Woodward for CTV News.
International students have been filling Canadian lecture halls and classrooms for years. In 2016-2017, students from overseas accounted for 12 per cent of total enrolments.
With borders closed and visas harder to obtain, Canadian universities must rely on domestic students for survival.
Yet, many Canadian high school graduates might either postpone or modify their university plans for financial reasons in 2020.
Universities and colleges in Saskatchewan should step up and offer courses at lower costs to all students, whether foreign or domestic.
Greater amounts of people receiving essential training or academic advancements at reduced costs would allow many careers to be filled and more jobs created in the post COVID world.
Education uplifts economies.
According to the World Economic Forum, “Large-scale educational expansions represent substantial investments of public resources and benefit households, by increasing education levels and therefore productivity in the local economy.”
If the province’s postsecondary institutions in Saskatchewan lowered their costs, this might assist in returning some of the staff who’ve been made either permanently or temporarily redundant.
These instructors might be earning reduced pay until the economy returns to normal. However, the faculty and staff of Saskatchewan’s postsecondary institutions shouldn’t be expected to work for free either.
If Saskatchewan’s postsecondary institutions completely erased fees, this might lower education standards and introduce a two-tiered private/public system as seen in some European countries.
Regardless, the postsecondary sector in the province is struggling, so free education isn’t an option anyways.
The number of layoffs in some of Saskatchewan’s postsecondary schools in 2020 is frightening.
Although the University of Regina hasn’t posted layoffs so far, the University of Saskatchewan has had a significant number of redundancies.
Kyle Benning for Global News reported the University of Saskatchewan temporarily laid off 315 employees over 12 weeks on June 24.
“Prior to any decisions about temporary layoffs, we considered the possibility of redeployment to other work that is essential and can be done remotely,” read the university’s statement.
Saskatchewan Polytechnics across the province are also laying off staff and suspending programs.
Emily Pasiuk for the CBC News wrote about a host of layoffs at Saskatchewan Polytechnics on June 30.
Saskatchewan Polytechnics said 37 people were being laid off earlier in June, confirming a total of 93 fulltime and part-time employees collected either temporary or permanent layoff notices.
Pasiuk also reported an additional 42 employees at Saskatchewan Polytechnics received voluntary separation offers.
Helpful programs such as additions counselling, cytotechnology and dental assisting programs have also been suspended, which is a shame, because people are needed to fill these vital careers in Saskatchewan.
