As the province prepares to expand its virtual schools program there are concerns about the lack of data going forward.

The provincial program has been teaching students online for nearly 10 years and this spring Education Minister Ramona Jennex announced it would be doubling the number of courses and capacity.

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts found the education department could not answer questions on whether virtual students are meeting the standard of in-class students.

Progressive Conservative MLA Allan MacMaster said his concerns are two-fold.

“Why did we get into it in the first place?” MacMaster told News 95.7 at Province House, Wednesday. “It may be a great thing, but it would be good to see some evidence that it has worked in other places. Two, how is it working for us here, now? What evidence do we have that students who are being educated under the virtual school system are benefiting the same as students in a traditional classroom setting?”

These were questions neither the Deputy Minister of Education nor staff could qualify.

MacMaster has asked the department to table the missing data before the committee before expanding the program, and he anticipates that will be done within two weeks’ time.

The province currently offers 22 courses online in advanced sciences, French immersion, global politics, global geography and other subjects.

There are about 500 students enrolled in the program from 58 schools across the province and across various boards. The program has room for 800 students.

In May, the minister announced plans to increase the number of courses to 46 and increase enrollment capacity to 1,500 in the 2013-2014 year.