Students outline their vision for a student-centred credit transfer system
for higher education

TORONTO, March 17 /CNW/ - Students have released their vision for a new province-wide system of credit transfer. There is currently no cohesive measure to allow students to transfer between institutions, and students have been actively involved in a government-led initiative to examine the creation of a new credit transfer system.

"Improving flexibility and access to Ontario's post-secondary education system would benefit many students, including those who live outside of university and college catchment areas," said Shelley Melanson, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. "Investments made for a credit transfer system will encourage many people who need retraining, or who have already finished some post-secondary education, to return to the classroom and enhance their skills."

In their sixth submission to the Post-Secondary Education Secretariat, students highlight the benefit of investing in and expanding learning pathways. The Federation estimates that credit duplication as a result of incongruent systems cost students $40 million and the government $100 million annually. Our Bright Future: Credit Transfer calls for an investment of $45 million to be dedicated to support and expand access for students who transfer from a college or university.

"In the Throne Speech, the government said that investing in the skills of Ontarians is a priority, but there was no mention of any measure to assist current students," said Hamid Osman, National Executive Representative for the Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario. "Giving students the freedom to change schools or programmes once they've started will offer many students an opportunity to gain higher credentials, or experience life in other regions of the province."

This submission, Our Bright Future: Credit Transfer is part of a series of documents that recommend how the Ontario government can make positive change for the post-secondary education sector. The recommendations include more funding to hire faculty, reduce tuition fees, improve student financial assistance and expand funding for graduate students. All documents can be found at www.cfsontario.ca.

The Canadian Federation of Students-Ontario unites more than 300,000 college and university students studying at public post-secondary institutions across the province.

For further information: Shelley Melanson, Chairperson, CFS-Ontario: [phone] or [phone] (cell); Hamid Osman, National Executive Representative, CFS-Ontario: [phone]