Speaking up about the Education Act

With the government introducing the first Education Act made in Nunavut, we must voice our thoughts and concerns. If we don’t say anything, then all this red tape will be shoved down out throats. We must take time to examine what is being set to become law.

When federal day schools were introduced to us our way of life changed forever. In some sense it was good, but our way of life was altered to please the white man. There are a lot of smart young kids out there and the law says that all teachers must do their best to educate them with the best of their knowledge and prepare them to attend post-secondary education.

We get a good number of high school graduates across Nunavut and some of them have the desire to attend university down south. This is why we must keep on top of their schooling – to see if they are being taught all the courses they must pass to be accepted into universities in southern Canada.

We put our trust in the educators that they are doing their job properly so our kids can have a better future. Educators face new challenges when they first come north. They are eager and are full of energy, but some eventually run out of gas and lose the desire to teach. This is part of the reason why so many kids drop out.

I had the honour of attending my daughter’s graduation and when the day came it was a day that made me proud to watch my own receive her Grade 12 diploma. But the joy did not last very long.

After the ceremonies, we were told that our daughter could not attend the university of her choice, which was in B.C., because she did not complete one course, Math 30. This was a huge blow to the entire gang, mostly to my daughter. She had her mind set on attending university in B.C.

A job is a job, but we Nunavummiut must not let this go on any further. We have suffered enough since schools were established up here. Our governments in the past have always stated that young people are our future. Our future started when we were dragged away from our secured homes into schools across this barren land that we call home.

When the Education Act becomes law, I hope there will be a clause to have a watchdog on educators to see if they are teaching to the best of their ability. Every person in Nunavut has a right to the best education since we only live once.

Jim Ningeocheak