Learning: Tradition & Change in the Northwest Territories.

Overview & Synopsis

In 1981-82 the Legislative Assembly's Special Committee on Education held 43 public hearings throughout the Northwest Territories to gather information on all aspects of public concern about education. Written in English and Inupiaq, this document outlines problems related to: (1) preparation for a traditional Native life versus preparation for the wage economy; (2) choosing among bilingual, Native language, and English-as-a-Second-Language programs; (3) the need for culturally appropriate curriculum and instructional materials; (4) poor attendance and high dropout rates; (5) discipline problems; (6) lack of Native teachers; (7) inadequacy of preservice and inservice teacher education in preparing southern teachers for northern schools; (8) the need for parent education and parent-school liaisons; (9) the need for adult and continuing education; (10) limited funding; and (11) large differences between educational policies and classroom practices. The Special Committee made several major restructuring recommendations, including the creation of: 10 divisional boards of education to govern schools with the advice of local educational authorities; a Secretariat of Learning to respond to demands for learning from the private and public sectors; two centers responsible for curriculum development and teacher education; and an Arctic College. In addition, 49 specific recommendations address issues of administrative structure, school programs and curriculum, language of instruction, teacher education and recruitment, special education, adult education, and policy implementation. This document contains a bibliography of approximately 270 items. (SV)