A new teacher education program in Portage la Prairie is already being viewed as a long-term solution to rural teacher shortages and a potential model for expanding post-secondary education in other underserved communities across Manitoba.
Kirk Dowson, manager of access programs with the University of Winnipeg’s Faculty of Education, said the initiative is not a pilot project, but part of a broader, established approach to delivering education in flexible formats.
“These programs have been running for a very long time, so no, this is not a pilot program,” Dowson said. “Given the large number of people I have met who want to be able to do a BA/BEd or BEd from their community, I think this will be a permanent part of the University of Winnipeg Faculty of Education offerings.”
The program, created through a partnership between the University of Winnipeg, the Portage Community Revitalization Corporation and the Portage la Prairie School Division, launched in January with 26 students ranging in age from 18 to 63.
Dowson said the model could be replicated in other rural areas, particularly as Manitoba continues to face a well-documented teacher shortage that is even more pronounced outside major urban centres.
“We have the ability to offer our programs online and in the evenings,” he said. “Distance education might not serve all sectors well, but it works for teacher training. I assume there are shortages in other employment sectors as well, so there could be opportunities there.”
The program combines online instruction with in-person learning opportunities in Portage la Prairie, allowing students, many of whom are already working or raising families, to pursue post-secondary education close to home.
“The vast majority of them are adults with families and jobs who want a change of career, so they fit nicely within Access Education, which was developed to take down barriers,” Dowson said.
Students can enrol in either a five-year integrated bachelor of arts and bachelor of education program or a two-year after-degree option for those who already hold an undergraduate degree. Courses are scheduled during evenings and weekends to accommodate work commitments.
For many rural students, distance and cost can make pursuing a teaching degree difficult. Dowson said one student told him she spends about $1,100 a month on gasoline commuting for education.
By offering courses locally and online, the Portage program allows students to continue working and living in their communities while studying.
The Portage la Prairie School Division is supporting the initiative by providing after-hours access to a high school library where students can meet, study together and livestream online classes, helping reduce the isolation that can accompany distance learning.
“Right from our earliest conversations, UWinnipeg demonstrated a willingness to think creatively and help us develop a meaningful, locally grown program,” said assistant superintendent Rochelle Rands.
“It is exciting to consider that in the next five to seven years, a new group of graduates will be ready to bring their enthusiasm, innovative ideas and love for this area directly into our rural classrooms.”
The Portage Community Revitalization Corporation has also played a key role by hosting information sessions and providing support services such as tutoring and assistance with student loan applications.
Executive director Mari Kozar said the program is helping address a gap in post-secondary opportunities in smaller communities.
“We’ve been very happy with our partnership with UWinnipeg,” Kozar said. “Everyone has been wonderful to work with and really got the program going much faster than we anticipated. This is definitely filling a gap.”
Interest in the program has been strong. An information session last October drew more than 100 people, far exceeding expectations for a room designed to hold 30.
“We set up in a room that holds 30 people, and 105 showed up,” Dowson said. “There was a huge lineup stretching out the door.”
A second information session held in February for the next intake attracted about 40 additional prospective students.
Beyond improving access to education, organizers hope the program will also help address teacher shortages in rural Manitoba by training future educators who already have ties to their communities.
Rands said rural divisions like Portage la Prairie often face challenges recruiting specialized staff, including French immersion teachers and speech-language pathologists.
By training teachers locally, she said, the division hopes more graduates will remain in the region to work.
Dowson said the strong response from prospective students suggests rural communities are eager for more local post-secondary options.
“It’s been a big signal to us that this is a really important thing we’re doing,” he said. “There are a lot of communities out there that aren’t being served to meet their post-secondary needs.”
