The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) has released a What We Heard Report that presents the findings from the first round of engagement on modernizing the Northwest Territories (NWT) Education Act.

Increasing the education outcomes of students in the NWT to the same level as the rest of Canada is a priority of this government, and modernizing the Education Act is critical to make certain that children and youth are prepared to succeed in life. The goal of modernizing the Education Act is to ensure the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) can make coordinated, system-wide improvements to meet the needs of students across the territory. 

Between March and June 2021, ECE engaged Indigenous Governments, education leaders, the Northwest Territories Teachers’ Association, parents, special interest groups and the public on the significant undertaking of modernizing the Education Act. ECE held 40 online meetings, several one-on-one conversations, and received 584 survey responses and multiple written submissions.

ECE analyzed participants’ feedback and has summarized them in a What We Heard Report.

Some of the themes ECE heard are to further involve, enable and empower Indigenous and local community governments to take part in decision-making about the future of education; the need to take meaningful and urgent action to foster and revitalize Indigenous languages; the need to continue conversations around how education resources are deployed and how programs are developed and implemented; and to not rush the process of Education Act modernization.

We also heard clearly during the first round of engagement that more conversation and collaboration is needed to ensure Indigenous governments and communities across the NWT can meaningfully lead and participate in the future of education. Based on what we heard, ECE is establishing a two-phased approach for next steps toward Education Act modernization. Phase 1 and Phase 2 will occur simultaneously starting in 2022.

In Phase 1, ECE will develop a legislative proposal during the life of the 19th Legislative Assembly that addresses some of the operational and technical challenges of the current education system. This will include conflicting authorities and timely Ministerial access to information about student outcomes. Phase 1 will address issues that needed immediate attention or received no significant comments of concern during the engagement period, or were identified during past audits by the Office of the Auditor General as impeding the ability of the current education system to improve student outcomes.

During Phase 2, the Department will continue collaborating with Indigenous governments, education bodies, stakeholders and the public on the future of the NWT education system structure and governance. Phase 2 will take time, and work will continue beyond the 19th Legislative Assembly so that we can develop and build a modern education system in the territory and ensure that Indigenous governments and people across the NWT can see themselves reflected. This work has begun through the NWT Council of Leaders where the Minister and Indigenous leaders have agreed to collaborate and in response to what we heard, will continue into the life of the 20th Legislative Assembly. .

Quote(s)

“The modernization of the Education Act will set the stage for ensuring equitable access to education for all students in the Northwest Territories. The initial round of engagement on this exciting initiative generated an incredible response and valuable feedback. I am thankful to everyone who participated for contributing their time, energy and wisdom. The modernization of the Education Act is a monumental undertaking, and for us to be successful we must ensure that we work collaboratively and take the time required to do it right.”

- R.J. Simpson, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment

Quick facts

• Education Act modernization is one part of the GNWT’s work to increase Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 student education outcomes to the same level as the rest of Canada.
• Due in part to the way education system governance and administration is establish under the Education Act, significant gaps in student outcomes exist between:
  •  NWT students and the Canadian average
  •  Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in the NWT
  •  Yellowknife and smaller communities.
• Modernizing the Act will help move barriers to student learning, improve the ability to implement system-wide improvements and to hold education bodies accountable for student achievement.

Related links

• https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/sites/ece/files/resources/2021-12_-_education_act_modernization_-_what_we_heard_report_2021_-_final_3.pdf
• https://www.gov.nt.ca/en/engagements/education-act-modernization
• Education Act Modernization: Discussion Paper
• Education Act Modernization: Discussion Paper in Brief

For media requests, please contact:

Christina Carrigan

Acting Manager, Public Affairs and Communications

Department of Education, Culture and Employment

Government of the Northwest Territories

christina_carrigan@gov.nt.ca

(867) 767-9352 ext. 71073