• Edmonton’s student population is more linguistically diverse that it has ever been. It is to be expected that students born in non-English speaking countries, especially those settling in Canada while already in their school years, will require additional instruction in learning the English language. Moreover, some Canadian born students also require extra help in English language instruction.

Education is a significant determinant of health, as educational attainment influences career options and lifetime earning potential. University graduates earn significantly higher incomes than high school graduates—on a per annum and lifetime basis. Education also provides some protection against economic fluctuations. Individuals with higher education are less likely to become unemployed in the event of an economic downturn. They are also more likely to achieve financial security after retiring. The importance of education has grown as the economy becomes increasingly reliant on industries that require specialized knowledge and technical expertise.