What is DEA
District Education Authority (DEA)
A District Education Authority (DEA) is a locally-elected body made up of community members who are interested in education. The DEA works with the school staff and Regional School Operations (RSO) staff. Together, these bodies serve many of the functions of a school board and are responsible for the administration of the school in Nunavut. Members are elected for a four-year term.
The DEA is responsible for making important decisions concerning the delivery of education.
Examples of these important decisions include:
- Choosing the language of instruction and language model to be used in the school;
- establishing the school calendar;
- developing a registration and attendance policy;
- developing an Inuuqatigiisiarniq (discipline) policy; issuing suspensions and expulsions;
- working with Region School Operations (RSO) to hire school staff (including teachers and principals) providing an early childhood education program that promotes Inuit language and culture.
The various positions/structures that make up the DEA are:
- each DEA is comprised of seven members (the CSFN has five members);
- each member is elected for a four-year term; each DEA includes one chairperson and one vice-chairperson;
- each DEA has committees on human resources, finance, Inuuqatigiisiarniq (discipline policies), and attendance;
- and DEAs must meet at least once a month.
Who can become a DEA member?
Guidelines for eligibility to run in a DEA election are governed under Section 19 of the Local Authority Elections Act. In general, DEA elections are open to any member of the community who is the age of 18 years or older and can vote in Nunavut.The DEA is responsible for making important decisions concerning the delivery of education.
To be nominated to stand as a DEA candidate you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen
- Be at least 18 years old,
- Be a resident of Nunavut for at least 12 consecutive months at the time of nomination
- Be a resident of the community for no specific time period
You are not eligible to be nominated or to stand as a candidate as a member of a DEA if you are:
- Are a member of the school staff
- Are a person hired for the delivery of adult education programs
- Are an employee of the DEA
- Are an election officer, including Elections Nunavut
- Are in prison or other correctional institution
- Have been convicted under the Election act within the last five years
- Have been found to have not complied with financial reporting from an MLA election within the last five years
- Have been found incapable of making decisions for yourself in a court of law