Advanced Education and Literacy Manitoba

Policies and Accountability

Policies

Manitoba's Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Policy Framework

The province reviewed the way in which adult learners were able to access high school upgrading and post-secondary education. With the goal of having mobile and portable credentials, the service delivery model for the provision of adult education was restructured. The new strategy has 3 cornerstones - increasing capacity within post-secondary institutions to offer prior learning assessment and recognition services; a new staff position to support the introduction and expansion of PLAR advisory services in the community and within the network of adult learning centres; and support for workplace and industry PLAR projects.

PLAR Policy Framework (45 KB, Word Document)

Further information on PLAR can be located on the Competitiveness, Training and Trade website.

Tuition Fees

In 1999/00, tuition fees in Manitoba were reduced by 10% and have been held at that level ever since.  In Budget 2008, the Government announced that tuition would remain unchanged for one more year in 2008/09.  In 2009/10, tuition is then expected to rise slowly to 1999/00 levels while guarding against rate shock.

The tuition fee policy applies to full and part-time students in for-credit programs leading to a graduate or undergraduate degree, a diploma and/or a certificate. Students in continuing education, market-driven training and contract training programs are not eligible for the benefit. Since 2000/01, government has provided colleges and universities with additional funding in recognition of the fact that they were unable to raise additional revenue through increases in tuition fees.

In 2002/03, Government announced that universities were free to set tuition fees for international students at any level deemed appropriate. This policy replaces the previous requirement that international student fees were to be set at 75% above the domestic tuition fee. The policy change is in response to a request made by each of Manitoba's universities for more autonomy in terms of setting tuition fees for international students. This allows universities to set fees for international students at whatever level they find consistent with their international recruiting strategy.

In Fall 2006, Government introduced a Manitoba Tuition Fee Income Tax Rebate that provides a 60% rebate to graduates of recognized post-secondary institutions on all eligible tuition fees after January 1, 2007.  Further information can be found on the Tuition Fee Income Tax Rebate website.

In July, 2008, the Government appointed Dr. Ben Levin as Commissioner on Tuition Fees and Accessibility to Post-Secondary Education in Manitoba. The report, released on March 31, 2009, included a literature review and several recommendations related to tuition and accessibility. A copy of the report on the Commission on Tuition Fees and Accessibility to Post-Secondary Education in Manitoba is available for download as well.

Accountability

The Council undertook the following accountability projects in partnership with the post-secondary education institutions:

Indicators Project

As part of the developing accountability framework in the Manitoba post-secondary system, indicators are being developed in consultation with the public universities and colleges. These indicators are designed to provide the Council on Post-Secondary Education with broad information relating to the post-secondary system's progress towards the five Manitoba Advanced Education and Literacy priorities established by the Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy.

The Council and post-secondary institutions continued to prepare indicators of student success including information on retention, attrition and graduation rates at colleges and universities.  Additional projects, including indicators of graduate employment at colleges and enrollment by socio-economic status are under development.

Program Costing

As another part of the developing accountability framework in the Manitoba post-secondary system, a common program-costing methodology has been developed in consultation with Manitoba's colleges and universities and the Apprenticeship Branch of Competitiveness, Training and Trade. This methodology employs common definitions, procedures and reporting formats to allow for better comparative analysis of financial data from public universities and colleges in the province. Data is collected annually from public universities and colleges.

Program Costing Methodology (228 KB)

Other Policy and Accountability Activities

Other policy and accountability activities can be found in the Council’s Annual Reports.