Ontario's Education Minister, Kathleen Wynne, says driving program enhancements could be a saving grace for Niagara District Secondary School.

In an interview with The Crier this week, Wynne said school boards across the province are facing declining enrolment issues, but programming holds the key to maintaining appropriate school populations.

"The board has to look at ways to draw students to that school," Wynne said of NDSS. "Programs won't make the closure go away, though. (Local officials) have to work at making the programs worthwhile and offer what's best for the children."

She noted that school boards have a portfolio of schools with special programs and only a finite number of students. Specialty programs do not create students for a school, but attract them to the facility, she added.

"Municipalities should collaborate with local organizations to look out for childrens' needs," Wynne said. "Some municipalities have a public library connected to a high school or have support from art companies to work with the students.

"Local autonomy is important and it's why the local school board needs to make a decision to deliver the programs to students."

NDSS is known for its arts program and Wynne said she is a big supporter of the arts.

The report outlines the provincial government's programs and plans to help Ontario's publicly funded education system thrive.

Wynne's report states three priorities that will help strengthen students' education system.

The first is to ensure high levels of student achievement by going deeper and wider on literacy and numeracy, making sure 75 per cent of students meet provincial standards in Grade 6 and having an 85 per cent graduation rate on a secondary level.

The second priority is to bridge the gap in achievement between students who excel and those who don't.

This would be done through special language, oral language programs and working with students with special needs as a few examples.

The third is to increase public confidence in publicly funded education. Wynne said initiatives include strengthening the roles of schools as the heart of communities and creating the message that schools play a pivotal role in developing the workforce and citizens of tomorrow.

The report was presented as part of the province's way of marking Education Week, which ran from April 28 to May 2.

"It's really important to have a system in place so students have access to solid education," she said. "It's important to find resources and opportunities for all children."

When Wynne was first sworn in as minister in 2006, she said the province's education system was demoralized.

Since assuming her post, Wynne said the government has made almost $1 billion of investments in the system.

Changes include smaller class sizes, higher test scores and higher graduation rates.

"In order to continue this trend, we have to have a collective vision. That's why we have to have a strong education system.". She believes it can connect with students in ways other studies don't, adding the arts fosters important skills such as creativity and innovation.

Arts education is one of the key areas of focus in the education minister's report, Energizing Ontario Education.