Minister Cleveland holds first meeting with Education Leaders

April 17, 2024

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) Caitlin Cleveland met with Education Leaders in Yellowknife on April 10, 2024.

The event marked the first meeting with Education Leaders since Minister Cleveland assumed the portfolio of Education, Culture and Employment. It was also the first meeting for James Fulford, the new Deputy Minister of ECE.

Minister Cleveland opened the meeting with an update on the priorities and expectations of the 20th Legislative Assembly. Deputy Minister Fulford followed with a presentation of the Government of the Northwest Territories’ outlook for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

He also provided an update on Bill 81, An Act to Amend the Education Act, No. 2, and the upcoming regulatory changes that it will bring. Bill 81, which received assent in October 2023, allows for operational and technical amendments designed to improve the existing system to be completed, providing additional time for more-in-depth engagement on the future of the education system structure and governance to take place.

Education Leaders discussed what they see as emerging issues for education in the Northwest Territories, including teacher housing, teacher recruitment and retention, and student transportation.

ECE also updated Education Leaders on the implementation of the School-based Mental Health and Wellness program, which, beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, enabled schools to offer their own school-based prevention and intervention services to promote resilience and help reduce student and youth exposure to risk factors.

The next Education Leaders meeting will be held in the 2024-2025 school year.

Quotes

“I am thankful to have met with NWT Education Leaders for the first time. I appreciate their passion and commitment as we discuss and collaborate on key issues impacting our education system. I look forward to building a productive relationship with Education Leaders as we work to improve outcomes for students across the Northwest Territories.”

-Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Education,Minister of Education, Culture and Employment

“Education Leaders welcome Minister Cleveland and look forward to building a close working relationship with her in the future. We are pleased with the discussions that were held during the meeting and are confident that our voices are being heard. We want to keep collaborating to bring positive changes to the NWT education system.”

-Renalyn Pascua-Matte, Chair, Dehcho Divisional Education Council

For media requests, please contact:

Briony Grabke
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Education, Culture and Employment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Briony_grabke@gov.nt.ca

867-767-9352 ext. 71073

Renalyn Pascua-Matte
Chairperson, Dehcho Divisional Education Council
rockren@northwestel.net

NT5