Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) Minister R.J. Simpson met via videoconference with Northwest Territories (NWT) Education Leaders, and the NWT Teachers’ Association (NWTTA) on September 15, 2020 to resume in-depth planning for the school year. 

The leaders discussed progress that has been achieved thus far in the school year and planned for further provisions of personal protective equipment and supplies for schools related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) is pleased to be accepting applications for the 2020-2021 Early Childhood Development scholarships. The scholarships valued at $5000 each will be awarded to eligible Northwest Territories (NWT) students attending accredited post-secondary institutions to complete Diploma or Degree programs with a direct focus in Early Learning and Child Care/Early Childhood Development studies during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) Minister R.J. Simpson met via videoconference with Northwest Territories (NWT) Education Leaders, and the NWT Teachers’ Association (NWTTA) on September 1, 2020 to share information about schools reopening across the Territory.  They were joined by NWT Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Kami Kandola and members of her team.

Today the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) released a discussion paper seeking input on four proposed areas of teaching and research specialization for the polytechnic university that will guide transformational decision-making leading up to its launch.

Today the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), R.J. Simpson announced approved new regulations for admission to French First Language schools in the Northwest Territories (NWT).

The new regulations have been developed in consultation with education bodies, including the Commission scolaire francophone des Territoires du Nord-Ouest (CSFTNO), and come into effect immediately for the 2020-21 school year.

The new regulations include:

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) has published an Education Bulletin for the 2020-2021 school year that provides additional information on safety procedures, such as COVID-19 screening processes, wearing masks, and physical distancing, including information on how learning approaches may be required to shift, based on the evolving COVID-19 situation in the Northwest Territories.

Following careful consideration of the recent NWT Supreme Court decision in Commission scolaire francophone, A.B., F.A., T.B., J.J. et E.S. c Ministre de l’Éducation 2020 CSTNO 28, the GNWT has made the decision to appeal.

This is a very important issue that has major implications and affects much more than the parents and children involved or the CSFTNO. 

An issue of such importance deserves the attention of the Court of Appeal.

Northwest Territories (NWT) Education Leaders met via videoconference with Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) Minister R.J. Simpson and the NWT Teachers’ Association (NWTTA) on August 18, 2020 to discuss school readiness and response protocols for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year.

R.J. Simpson, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment released the following statement today regarding the reopening of schools for the 2020-2021 school year:

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) today released a discussion paper seeking input on a proposed governance model for Aurora College and the development of the governance system for the polytechnic university.

As part of the transformation of Aurora College into a polytechnic university, the GNWT committed to establishing a new governance model for the institution. The Aurora College and Polytechnic University Governance discussion paper presents a proposed model as a starting point for discussion with partners and key stakeholders.