Press Release: YK1-MLA Meeting
Press Release: February 9, 2023 YK1-MLA Meeting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
YELLOWKNIFE, NT - On the evening of Thursday, February 9, 2023 the Board of Trustees of Yellowknife Education District No. 1 (YK1) hosted Yellowknife MLAs for an evening of discussion and advocacy around current achievements and upcoming issues facing the school district.
MLAs were provided an update on the state of YK1 in 2023 and how the school year is going with the return to in-school learning and other events that have not been held since prior to the start of the pandemic.
The discussions centered around upcoming territorial curriculum changes, capital and operating funding challenges, mental health and learning supports for students and upcoming changes to the Education Act. By working closely with MLAs, Trustees hope to raise the profile of education issues in the final budget session of the 19th Assembly.
At the meeting, the positive working relationship with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment was highlighted. The importance of communicating directly with all families regarding the upcoming curriculum changes was also emphasized.
With budget issues in the forefront of this Legislative sitting, Trustees spoke to the challenges of being funded based on the previous year’s student enrolment, maintenance funding that has not kept up with inflation, and the need for significant capital investment in YK1’s oldest schools. The meeting was the first in-person meeting with Yellowknife MLAs since 2019. MLAs were engaged in the discussions, asking questions and echoed the importance of education for all northerners.
"We are grateful for the opportunity to meet with our local MLAs to discuss these important issues facing our school district," said YK1 Board Chair, David Wasylciw. "Together, we can work towards ensuring that all students in Yellowknife receive the best possible education, no matter what challenges they may face."
The meeting with Yellowknife MLAs was a productive and collaborative effort to identify ways that we can all support and enhance our education system. Trustees look forward to continuing the conversation with MLAs and other key stakeholders to ensure the education system in Yellowknife is the best it can be.
For more information, please contact:
Jameel Aziz
Superintendent
Yellowknife Education District No. 1
(867) 766-5050 | jameel.aziz@yk1.nt.ca
