Yellowknife — December 16, 2022
The Post-Secondary Education (PSE) Act and four sets of corresponding regulations came into force today. The legislation is an important milestone in the Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT) work to build a comprehensive post-secondary education system in the Northwest Territories (NWT).
The legislation will ensure colleges, universities and private training institutions in the NWT are meeting territorial standards. The PSE Act establishes how these institutions are accredited in the NWT so that residents can be sure they’re getting high-quality training and education at a recognized school. It also formalizes a quality assurance system for the accreditation of certificate, diploma and degree programs.
Creating this standardized system allows for education across jurisdictions. Students from the NWT can transfer to programs in other provinces and territories or beyond. This process also allows institutions from other jurisdictions to provide programing in the NWT that has been reviewed and is accredited.
Quote(s)
“The Department Education, Culture, and Employment is committed to ensuring high quality post-secondary education for all students attending post-secondary schools in the Northwest Territories. This legislation will help ensure that colleges, universities and private training schools meet high standards, and that students going through the education system can feel confident they’re receiving the best training possible.”
- R.J. Simpson, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment
Quick facts
- In 2019, the Post-Secondary Education (PSE) Act was given assent, but not brought into force
- The Campus Alberta Quality Council (CAQC) is an external body that will be responsible for conducting reviews on all degree programs, universities, and any institutions that want to deliver a degree program in the NWT.
- A Quality Assurance Review Advisory Committee will provide reviews of non-degree institutions operating in the NWT. This internal committee will include GNWT staff from ECE, as well as additional members that may be required as subject matter experts to conduct reviews.
- ECE engaged with post-secondary education institutions during the development of the Post-Secondary Education Act and regulations. In addition, the public was invited to provide feedback in the fall of 2022.
- As set out in the Northwest Territories Post-Secondary Strategic Framework 2019-2029, the GNWT is responsible for holding post-secondary institutions accountable for meeting established standards and following best practices.
Related links
For media requests, please contact:
Briony Grabke
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Education, Culture and Employment
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-767-9352 Ext. 71073