A Coherent System for Manitoba

Abstract

The emphasis of this Report is on the creation of a coherent system of post-secondary education in Manitoba, including the universities, the community colleges, and a new regional organization for non-institutional education. In order that this system should be effectively planned and coordinated, it is proposed that it be managed by an autonomous Commission on Post-Secondary Education with some advisory and many executive powers. To assure equality of opportunity and an increase in the role of the public in post-secondary education, a new instrument is proposed which would encourage local districts to take the initiative in meeting their own needs—to a large extent by using their own talents, though with support from the central government. Like most other recent reports on higher education, the theme of lifelong learning is central, as is the problem of financing. Of special interest in connection with the proposals for financing universities and colleges is the Task Force's proposal that the current formula for the allocation of operating funds on the basis of weighted student numbers should be replaced by assessment of institutional need in nine budget categories, only one of which (academic costs) would be based on student enrolment. In a sense, this would amount to a compromise between line-by-line budgeting and formula-based block financing.