(March 11, 2013) - Mr. Speaker, the Education Renewal and Innovation initiative is examining a wide range of issues facing education in the NWT, and developing a comprehensive plan to address these. The development of this plan and many aspects of the plan itself will involve participation of other GNWT departments.  I am happy to report that a wide range of GNWT departments have dedicated staff to participating in this process. The plan itself is scheduled to be completed by this late fall/winter.

The renewal initiative is currently in the research and engagement phases. The Project Charter, describing the work ahead, will draw upon the Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative, and, once completed, the Anti-Poverty Strategy, the Safe Schools Strategy, the Mental Health and Addictions Strategy, the Early Childhood Framework and the Inclusive Schooling Review. At the heart of it all, our work will be guided by the principles of basing educational change in both evidence-based research and culturally appropriate approaches.

Mr. Speaker, we are not alone in our efforts to improve student outcomes. Other jurisdictions are doing the same. All across Canada, we see growing levels of student disengagement, fragmented approaches to learning, a growing gulf between what, and how, students are learning in school settings, and what our students face when they leave school and enter the workforce.

Much work has been done and more is underway:

• We have a dedicated Team at ECE leading this work. Several Project Teams have been created, and have researched best practices and relevant programs in the North, and elsewhere in Canada and the world.
• A discussion paper based on this research will be developed by the end of March.
• ECE staff will be meeting with Board Superintendents and Curriculum Supervisors for a full day consultation April 10.
• The NWTTA is a particularly active partner in this work. We are encouraged by the possibilities of working together and making positive changes to education in the NWT. ECE will be meeting with NWTTA regional presidents and staff for a full day consultation April 11.
• A major round table is scheduled for the end of April. This will bring together the Project Teams with inter-Departmental participation. Conversations among project teams will ensure that each of these major areas is addressed in ways that complement the work being done in other project areas.
• Engagement with Aboriginal leadership and students is planned for May and June.
• Draft work on direction gained from these consultations will be done over the summer.

 

With these issues top of mind, Mr. Speaker, we have a momentous task in front of us.  We believe that we are making progress to help us achieve this goal, through some of our programs already mentioned, the evidence-based research, and through our collaborations with education and Aboriginal leaders, stakeholders, and communities.  We hope for good collaboration, constructive comments and critical conversations that will help inform and guide this important work.

Masi, Mr. Speaker.