Nunavut develops new choices for learning, teaching

Developing a made-in-Nunavut approach to education has been a long time coming.

And today the curriculum used in provinces like Alberta and Manitoba remains the standard in Nunavut.

But now, that may be changing with the new “multi-options” curriculum, unveiled during the recent teachers’ conference in Iqaluit.

“We are building something that starts with Nunavut, so that the kids can see themselves, but they will also learn what they need to know about being a Canadian… and about being a global citizen,” said Cathy McGregor, director of curriculum and school services for Nunavut’s education department.

The ideal Nunavut curriculum should reflect modern Inuit life, while making sure to teach students about their heritage and values, McGregor said.

Nunavut’s curriculum will still follow the Alberta curriculum, particularly in areas like math, science and English, she said.

But the new approach should make schools “more engaging for our students,” she said.

That’s where “multi-options” come in.

The “multi-options” are intended to give students practical training and offer them a better understanding of what they will need for specific jobs.

And these “multi-options” will guide their education — and hopefully spur their interest in higher learning.

“We believe if they have the right combination of academic and practical courses in an area that interests them, then there is going to be more reason to be in school,” McGregor said.

So, to develop “multi-options,” each school will look at the jobs available in its area and create courses to better prepare its students for life after school, and jobs in mining, the trades and engineering.

“We have developed a special applied physics course because it is more about how to use physics in those specific trades jobs,” McGregor said, adding that “if you want to go to university and be a doctor or a nurse then you also have a chance to take all of the science courses.”

McGregor insists the new curriculum won’t limit students or try to pigeonhole them into one direction.

The curriculum will allow them to have as broad an education as possible, she said.

“We want to expose students to as much as possible, so art courses, dance, drama, information technology, film and video will all be available,” McGregor said.

In communities with fewer students, where it’s not possible to offer a full range of choices, the GN also plans to develop distance education options.

This means that in a school with only a handful of high school students, where only a single student wants a physics class, an expert will teach that student, while an on-site teacher will supply support.

McGregor’s bottom line? Making sure that Nunavut’s education system produces students who will continue their education and move into positions that are now filled by people from the South.