News & Stories: Policy Monitor

Excerpt: "The Ready-to-Learn Schools program was first launched as a pilot project at Takhini Elementary School in 2019 and was adopted by Selkirk Elementary School in 2021. This school year the program will be implemented at St. Elias Community School in Haines Junction, Nelnah Bessie John School in Beaver Creek and Grey Mountain Primary School and Jack Hulland Elementary School in Whitehorse. Responsive instructional approaches will eventually be implemented in all Yukon schools."

Excerpt: "Since 2019 the Department of Education has launched a number of initiatives to address the gaps in Yukon’s education system and to improve student outcomes. These include: Launching the Universal Child Care model; Launching enhanced early kindergarten and full day kindergarten in most rural communities; Working with the Chiefs Committee on Education to establish the First Nation School Board; Finalizing a Collaboration Framework with Yukon First Nations; Completing the Review of Inclusive and Special Education; Advancing the Reimagining Inclusive and Special Education (RISE) work plan, which was developed with partners; Launching the Ready-to-Learn Schools initiative; Creating a data sharing agreement with Yukon First Nations and releasing publicly available student data reports; Initiating work and engagement on a Student Outcomes Strategy, which will look at root causes of poor student outcomes, develop targets and evaluate progress on closing gaps."

Excerpt: "Additional highlights include: The historic creation of the First Nation School Board with eight schools voting in January 2022 to join the new school board. The eight schools transitioned to the First Nation School Board authority for the 2022-23 school year and in November five trustees were elected to the board; Progressing Ready-to-Learn Schools at St. Elias Community School in Haines Junction, Nelnah Bessie John School in Beaver Creek and Grey Mountain Primary School, Jack Hulland Elementary School, Takhini Elementary School and Selkirk Elementary School in Whitehorse; Key capital projects to build or renovate schools to ensure they reflect modern learning practices, including: advancing the Whistle Bend elementary school project, the Kêts’ádań Kù Burwash school project, modular classrooms at Robert Service School and planning to replace École Whitehorse Elementary School; and, Collaboration with Yukon University on programs and infrastructure, including meeting the demands for early childhood educators and licensed practical nurses in the Yukon."

Excerpt: "“Understanding the Early Years” is a Yukon First Nations designed and developed course that will be offered in Whitehorse and in rural communities, with special focus on communities that have limited access to professional development. The course provides opportunities for both employees of licensed programs currently working without a certificate level and Yukoners wanting to enter the early childhood education field. Yukoners who successfully complete the course will receive a Level 1 certificate to practice as an early childhood educator from the Yukon Department of Education’s Early Learning and Child Care Unit."

The well-being of children and families in Yukon is the focus of a new plan issued today by Minister of Health and Social Services Doug Graham. On the Path Together: Wellness Plan for Yukon’s Children and Families provides evidence-based strategies for improving the health and well-being of children and youth that will be used to help plan and set priorities and provide practical information on healthy living. The plan sets out three pathways to improve wellness: Giving kids a good start in life (0-5 years); Raising kids who flourish (6–19 years); Healthy living for all.

Excerpt: "This document summarizes information on training gaps in the field of early childhood education in Inuit Nunangat. It was developed to inform future investments in early childhood education, as well as policy and program development in the field. While this project did not undertake a rigorous research process, nor an exhaustive literature review, Inuit regional partners were engaged at every stage. The resulting document gives a voice to representatives working on the ground with child care centres."

Excerpt: "The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Nunavut, announced funding for a project to provide capacity to expand the availability of preschool programs for children ages 3 to 5 years of age living in communities across Nunavut.

“We want children to achieve their full potential,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “That’s why we are investing to have qualified early childhood educators deliver culturally relevant programs that prepare Nunavut children for school and a good start in life.”"

Excerpt: "Through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Aboriginal Head Start Strategic Fund, the Government of Canada invests $3 million annually in support of initiatives that benefit the Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities (AHSUNC) program.

Today’s funding announcement of over $1 million will support a project led by the Nunavut Arctic College in partnership with the Government of Nunavut Department of Education to increase the quality and the availability of early childhood care and programming such as AHSUNC; and to establish an approach that will build early childhood development capacity across three regions in Nunavut."

Excerpt: "The government responds to the release of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated’s Report on the State of Inuit Culture and Society – The Status of Children and Youth, stating that "the future of Nunavut depends on ensuring the health and well-being of our children today."

Excerpt: "$1.6 M to the Nunavut Arctic College to support a new law program in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan, launching this fall. The GN is also providing $1.3M to help the College fund its Social Worker and Early Childhood Education programs."

Excerpt: "The Government of Canada will provide $189 million in funding over 10 years to the Government of Nunavut for community-based programs covering four broad areas: healthy children, families and communities; healthy living; mental wellness; and home and community care."

Excerpt: "The agreement allocates just over $7 million, over three years, to Nunavut for early learning and child care investments. The territory's funding will focus on early learning and child care programs and services to support parents, families, and communities to ensure the best possible future for children in the territory."