Most people assume education is governed by their local school board — but the truth is far more complicated. Provinces set funding formulas and curriculum standards, boards interpret and implement, and schools adapt on the ground. Teachers’ unions, advocacy groups, and even private foundations all exert influence. The result? A patchwork governance system that often leaves parents and students wondering: who’s actually in charge?
Why It Matters
Accountability gaps: When outcomes fall short, responsibility gets passed between levels of governance.
Equity questions: Funding and resources vary widely depending on provincial priorities and local board capacity.
Community voice: Parents and students are stakeholders, but their influence is filtered through layers of bureaucracy.
The Canadian Context
Provinces hold constitutional authority over education, meaning national standards are limited.
School boards are locally elected (where they still exist), but their power is shrinking in some provinces as governments centralize control.
Indigenous communities have long fought for self-determination in education, resisting imposed systems that ignored or undermined their knowledge.
Private and alternative schools exist outside some governance structures, raising questions about accountability and equity.
The Opportunities
Clarity: Mapping out governance layers can help communities understand who to hold accountable.
Shared governance: Greater collaboration between governments, boards, educators, and families.
Decentralization with safeguards: Local control can allow for responsiveness — if coupled with equity standards.
The Risks
Blame-shifting: Everyone points fingers when problems arise.
Policy drift: Long-term goals get derailed when new governments change course.
Community disengagement: If people feel their voice doesn’t matter, they stop showing up.
The Bigger Picture
Education governance isn’t just about who sets the rules — it’s about whose values shape the next generation. A truly democratic system would make those decision points visible, accessible, and responsive.
The Question
If multiple actors govern education, how do we ensure that the people most affected — students and families — actually have a say in what happens?
Who Really Governs Education?
The Concept
Most people assume education is governed by their local school board — but the truth is far more complicated. Provinces set funding formulas and curriculum standards, boards interpret and implement, and schools adapt on the ground. Teachers’ unions, advocacy groups, and even private foundations all exert influence. The result? A patchwork governance system that often leaves parents and students wondering: who’s actually in charge?
Why It Matters
The Canadian Context
The Opportunities
The Risks
The Bigger Picture
Education governance isn’t just about who sets the rules — it’s about whose values shape the next generation. A truly democratic system would make those decision points visible, accessible, and responsive.
The Question
If multiple actors govern education, how do we ensure that the people most affected — students and families — actually have a say in what happens?