By paNOW Staff

Sask. government to keep First Nations focus in further education

Sep 23, 2015 | 12:28 PM

The Government of Saskatchewan has signed an agreement to continue support of northern students taking post-secondary education in the province.

The Ministry of Advanced Education signed a five-year agreement to keep the operation of the Northern Teacher Education Program (NORTEP) and the Northern Professional Access Program (NORPAC) going.

The programs are partnerships of northern school divisions, First Nation bands, the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan.

They provide degree programs including, teacher education, arts and sciences, pre-nursing and indigenous studies, with northern and indigenous content.

“Students who attend school in the North are having a tremendous impact on our province, particularly for northern Saskatchewan schools and communities,” Advanced Education Minister Scott Moe said in a statement. “Saskatchewan’s First Nations and Métis people are one of our greatest resources and are helping to meet the growing demands of our labour market.”

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According to Herman Michell, president and CEO of both NORPAC and NORTEP, said they’ve been working to close educational gaps for almost 40 years, with support from the ministry and both universities.

“We are pleased with the new five-year agreement,” said Michell, also in a statement. “It will allow us to continue raising the quality of life in the north by delivering university programs.”

Since NORTEP was unveiled in 1976, it has allowed 475 students to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, 62 students to graduate with a master’s degree in education and 81 students with a bachelor of arts in Native Studies.

Currently, more than 16,000 aboriginal students are enrolled in post-secondary education across the province, up 29 per cent since 2007-08.

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by paNOW Staff

Sask. government to keep First Nations focus in further education

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