Iqaluit high school should be back in class Monday, GN says

Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit remains closed this week as the Nunavut government continues repairs on a broken sewage pipe.

Students can expect to go back to class April 27, said Kuthula Matshazi, the Department of Education’s director of stakeholder engagement, in an email.

Students began studying from home last week after a broken sewer line was discovered April 9.

The sewer line was installed in the 1970s, according to an information sheet provided by Transportation and Infrastructure Nunavut spokesperson Greg Belanger.

Since the closure, the school has provided students with laptops and data sticks for internet access so they can continue learning from home.

Last week, workers began clearing snow and removing broken parts of old pipes with plans to install a new pipe.

Transportation and Infrastructure Nunavut is in talks with the City of Iqaluit to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

“It’s anticipated that the long-term solution will include the design of a new pathway for the sewage line to improve reliability and reduce the risk of future failures,” reads Transportation and Infrastructure Nunavut’s information sheet.

“Planning is underway, with the goal of implementing the long-term solution as early as this summer.”

Matshazi said that the school will keep parents updated if there are any changes to the re-opening schedule. In the meantime, teachers and staff are continuing to support students during the disruption.

“Our students have shown considerable resilience during this transitionary period,” Matshazi said.

“Students have demonstrated a high degree of adaptability and resilience as they adjusted to new routines. Engagement levels have been encouraging, especially among students who have consistent access to devices and internet connectivity.”