Administering K-12 Internationalization in Manitoba

Manitoba public schools have been actively engaged in international education initiatives to host over a thousand of students in schools across the province. The provincial government has been regulating and coordinating those developments culminating in proclamation of International Education Act in 2016. This study analyzes the relationship between the federal government, Manitoba provincial government and K-12 sector schools in facilitating International Student Program (ISP). The following research questions guide the study: How has international education in Manitoba become a governmental policy priority? What have been the processes and experiences for Manitoba educational stakeholders in enhancing K-12 internationalization? The paper draws on the analysis of the policy documents and in-person interviews with government officials in the provincial International Education Branch (4) as well as school ISP administrators (4). By using multi-level governance theory, this paper examines the dynamics between the governments and stakeholders groups, examining the complementarities and clashes in supporting internationalization in the province. The study highlights the importance of policy coordination in supporting and enhancing quality of international education experiences in the province.