By Spencer Sterritt

First Nations grad rates up in Sask. Rivers School Division

Sep 20, 2016 | 6:44 AM

After dropping last year, graduation rates for First Nations students attending school in the Sask. Rivers Public School Division have risen above provincial numbers.

A report filed during the division’s regular meeting Monday night described grad numbers among students. Chair Barry Hollick said the board is thrilled with the numbers.

“We’re trending in the right direction,” he said. “We’re above the provincial numbers, so we’re very pleased with that and we hope to see that trend continue.”

According to the report, over the last two years 47.1 per cent of First Nations Indigenous Metis (FNIM) students graduated on-time, compared to 41.8 per cent across Saskatchewan.

To graduate on-time, students must complete school within three years of starting Grade 10. More students are also graduating after an extended-time, or within five years of starting Grade 10.

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The percentage of FNIM students graduating on time in Saskatchewan rose 1.7 per cent, while the Sask. Rivers numbers rose 6.2 per cent from the 2014-15 year to the 2015-16 year.

Over 65 per cent of total FNIM students in the division graduated, compared to roughly 60 per cent across the province.

Hollick said it’s incredibly important for FNIM grad numbers to rise given the large First Nations population in Prince Albert, and higher grad rates will benefit not just the students but the community as a whole.

“The more students you have staying in school, they’re succeeding as students, they’re getting prepared for entering job markets and it goes towards general success,” he said.

ssterritt@panow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit