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Education System Needs Improvements The Clarington/Courticc Independent, Bowmanvillc, Saturday, November I, 1997 Page 13 Arc Canadians getting what they pay for in education? education? Our children rank only midway in math and science science in the Western World, even though we arc the biggest spenders in postsecondary postsecondary education (2.8 per cent of GDP), according according to the Conference Board of Canada. What's even more remarkable is the fact that in the area of literacy skills Canada ranks only midway midway although we have one of the highest spending levels in education overall. Obviously Canadians arc not getting what they pay for. Many Canadians find it difficult to acquire new skills because they do not have the basics such as reading, writing, and math. This is a terrible testament to our ability to adapt to a changing global marketplace. marketplace. As you read this, the Canadian Advanced Technology Association is scouring Europe in search of high-tech workers. Many of the workers they are finding arc from Eastern Europe, an area, we are led to believe, that needs assistance as opposed to having a pool of highly trained young Parliamentary Report by Alex Shepherd • workers. Meanwhile, in downtown downtown Oshawa, one of the highest youth unemployment unemployment rales exist anywhere in Canada. Clearly something is wrong. Toronto's financial community is saying they can not find highly trained individuals in the areas of finance. They turn to American universities such as the one in Chicago. While we need to invest more in the areas of science science and technology research in Canada, it's clear spending alone will not guarantee results. Why? Because our education education system is not plugged into a changing technological society. And this has got to change. While boards of education education arc reacting to the demand for graduates with more technical skills it's not happening fast enough. Children arc not given guidance as to where the jobs, which will give them challenging, well paying careers, are going to be in an emerging economy. It is a changing world and we owe it to our youth that our education system can make them ready to meet its challenges. I hear cries from small and medium-sized businesses, businesses, those in the forefront forefront of this emerging economy, who arc switching switching from concerns about finding financial resources to finding human ones. We know we are now operating in a global economy economy that is more competitive competitive than at any time in our nation's trading history. For example, I can remember, not loo far back, when the Royal Yacht Britannia was anchored in Toronto harbour harbour with the Royals aboard shaking hands with directors of our financial institutions. Why? The British were hoping hoping they could persuade them to move some of Former BHS Student Seeks Olympic Tryout by Dallas O'Brien Imagine being offered a full scholarship for college. college. Better yet, imagine being offered several scholarships. This is a reality for a former B.H.S. student, Sommer West. Nineteen years old and fresh out of high school, Sommer was offered full scholarships at various colleges; to name a few, North Carolina, Ohio, Massachusetts. She was also offered a double scholarship at Niagara, where she could play both hockey and baseball. Presently, Sommer is at Durham College on a scholarship. At the moment Sommer is playing playing baseball and her team is currently in first place. Finals were held last weekend. Sommer was picked up by the Guelph Gators, who made her the starting short stop in the Nationals this past summer. Along with winning a gold medal at the Nationals she was the tournament's MVP, and was also named to the All- Star team. She went to the Summer Games in Manitoba, with Team Ontario, bringing home a silver medal. Along with her many achievements, Sommer also won a silver medal at the Provincials with the Oshawa Double B's. Sommer will be trying out for the Olympic baseball baseball team from December 13-21. Most of us would probably probably relax after such a busy season, but not this girl. Sommer also enjoys playing and excels in hockey. Sommer has been playing with the Toronto Aeros for her fifth year. The team has retained the same girls until this year, when they lost two players who went on to the Olympics. Sommer hopes to try out for the winter Olympics after 98. This isn't the first you've heard of this rising star and it certainly won't be the last. Good luck in the future, Sommer! HIGH (^SCHOOL Bowmanville Toastmasters --10th Anniversary Celebration Planned-- Bowmanville Toastmasters with chairman chairman Toastmaster Irene Konzelmann's theme "Role Models" were galvanized galvanized into an energetic meeting. The most creative creative selection was Toastmaster Mike Wanted: Crafty People The Oshawa and Clarington Association for Community Living is holding its next Christmas Craft Show on November 15,1997 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event will be held at 39 Wellington St. East, in Oshawa. OCACL is looking for community members who would like to participate as a vendor in this fundraiser, Cost for a table is $25.00, Vendors arc also responsible for donating donating one of their craft items toward the door prizes, All funds raised will benefit the day programs and workshop for adults who have a developmental. disability, If you would like to participate in this worthwhile worthwhile venture, please call Cathy MacGillvray at 576-3011, ext 318. Book now, to avoid disappointment, disappointment, ns space is limited! Sullivan's choice of Yogi Bear, Toastmaster Marilynn Dow gave each speaker the task of selecting a word in a precise area and then she asked a question about how that word related related to his/her life. The ultimate ultimate revelation concerned an historic first kiss in Ottawa. The second half of the meeting was a judging workshop, presented to the appreciative audience. In addition to two would be Toastmasters, we welcomed Toastmaster Karen Martin from Oshawa Toastmasters' Club. On November 4, 1997 we especially welcome visitors to help us celebrate celebrate our 10th anniversary. anniversary. Proceedings will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the official program commencing commencing at 7:30 p.m. Come and join us any Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. at "The Darlington Hydro- Information Centre". Please call 623-2243 or 623-3527. those institutions to London. Let's not be under any illusion that Britian was using the Royals to help make that country the financial capital of Europe. That's how competitive competitive the world now is. Clearly we have to do more to insure that our existing businesses secure the human capital needed in a knowledge-based society. Easing the plight of students students and parents to meet financial hurdles blocking a post-secondary education education is something this government government has addressed in previous budgets and will continue to address. Yes, we have a fiscal deficit along with our human deficit. It is clear that decreased spending can solve the first one, it is not at all clear increased spending can solve the second. iV- **" ■" ■•*-1-- .■ . w. I l sbsA /XX\ * i ^ x ■ v vVr. i* 1? a $ï * / lS:fe M Orono Fiddle Club Makes Donation to Hospital A generous donation from the Orono and District Fiddle Club will be used by Memorial Hospital Bowmanvillc to purchase a Bruton outpatient exam light for the operating room. A cheque from the Fiddle Club in the amount of $ 1,750 was presented to the hospital on Tuesday, October 28th. Accepting the contribution from Fiddle Club President Wendell Trincer and Second Vice President Stan Hoy arc Wil Bakkcr, representing the Memorial Hospital Foundation's Board of Directors and Trish Down, Operating Room Program Director. To date, the Fiddle Club has donated about $8,000 to the Memorial Hospital Foundation. 1995 DODGE CARAVAN 7 passenger, fully equipped, priced to sell at $12,495. 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED 4x4 4 door, auto, fully loaded, leather interior. $8,745. 1993 ASTRO EXT. 8 passenger, Two-tone gray . , and silver, a beauty. 3l L d $12,860. 1991 CMC JIMMY 4x4 4.3L, V6, auto, loaded. SALE PRICE $8,495. 1993 FORD AEROSTAR SPORT , Like new, 7 passenger. SALE (a ddC PRICE OSHAWA VAN & TRUCK CENTRE DIV. OF ARLIE SALES 450 Taunton Road E., Oshawa (just east of Wilson Road) 571-7779 @j.p. T'molhy j. Hay nes Chartered Accounte^t WHAT ELSE DO WE NEED TO SAY? By Design ITCHEN & BAT AFFORDABLE ELEGANCE 1916 DÜMDflS ST. E., WHITBY (905) 721-8892 Wants -- Member of A "mtl/,j 997 ^MtiMAccoimiints of Onfjno £ Ace Monday, 2:25 P.,\ L Gom '<frenwa„ jj,„. "<•' can '/ undent ""' U «re exir mc i Ul ,' hml PM the,t'"/*" '■""i/'/iiin-m fmJ wi,h "te en, I .. M hn >« bmi »etts "" PnWig > n ,,.. *« V'tyi up i/ u ,. ' " s "" ".vinn/, e, jny<ib/e ll wut