Insist that your province participate in international studies and that the results be published. Insist that the curriculum be as demanding as the best one of our international competitors. Students cannot be blamed for not knowing what they have not been taught. Teachers cannot be blamed for not teaching what the school board and the ministry of education do not expect to be taught. Insist that school reform start with grade one and progress gradually through the school system.
Education is a cumulative progress.
It is useless to tinker with the top floors, if the foundations have not been laid properly. Insist that mathematics, science, and foreign languages be taught by specialists in these subjects. All too often teachers are expected to teach subjects they never specialized in at university. Don't be satisfied with mediocre results. Insist on excellence.