Coalition of Nunavut DEAs

Language of Instruction :

In June 2022, the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut approved a three-year extension for completing the review of the bilingual education models selected by District Education Authorities (DEAs) across Nunavut under the Language of Instruction Regulation (Bill 7).

Since then, the Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities (CNDEA) has conducted extensive consultations across 25 of the 26 DEA jurisdictions. These consultations involved diverse focus groups in each community, including DEA members, high school students, Inuit educators from each school, concerned parents, and elders where available. In some communities, public meetings and radio call-in talk shows were also utilized to engage with the wider community. During these sessions, participants shared their insights on the strengths and areas for improvement of the bilingual education models adopted by their DEAs in 2012. Representatives from the Department of Education frequently accompanied the CNDEA team to provide additional context and support.

Additionally, CNDEA established two specialized focus groups to further examine the bilingual education models. The Technical Focus Group includes representatives such as Dave Wilman (Iqaluit), Beck Tootoo (Baker Lake), and Lena Metuq (Pangnirtung). The Elders Focus Group comprises Isaac Shooyook (Arctic Bay), Sarah Takolik (Taloyoak), and David Simailak (Baker Lake). Each group has met twice since June 2024, working closely with CNDEA staff. Their role has been to review findings, provide feedback, and offer guidance as the CNDEA develops a comprehensive report on the Language of Instruction bilingual education models. This report aims to share the insights and perspectives gathered from communities, along with our findings, to reflect the strengths, challenges, and aspirations expressed by stakeholders. It will also outline recommendations to support and enhance bilingual education across Nunavut.

School Improvement Plan (SIP) Initiative

The Coalition of Nunavut District Education Authorities (CNDEA) is committed to supporting District Education Authorities (DEAs) in fulfilling their responsibilities under the Nunavut Education Act. One key area of focus is assisting DEAs and school principals in developing comprehensive School Improvement Plans (SIPs) that address the unique needs and priorities of their schools and communities.

Through the SIP initiative, CNDEA works collaboratively with DEAs to provide a standardized framework and template for SIP development. This framework helps schools identify goals, set measurable objectives, and implement strategies to improve student outcomes, enhance learning environments, and strengthen community involvement in education.

To support this initiative, CNDEA will conduct community consultations in identified communities across all Nunavut, from January to April 2025 to seek feedback and input from DEAs, school administrators, and parents. These consultations aim to ensure the SIP framework is practical, relevant, and reflective of local needs. Additionally, CNDEA will provide training workshops and professional development opportunities to build capacity and equip DEAs and school staff to create and implement effective SIPs.

The SIP initiative reflects CNDEA’s commitment to fostering educational excellence across Nunavut by promoting accountability, strategic planning, and meaningful community engagement.