Released on November 14, 2016
The Ministry of Advanced Education and the Northern Teacher Education Program (NORTEP) Council have agreed on a process that will support continued access to high quality university programs in La Ronge for northern students.
“This decision is not about moving programs out of the North,” Advanced Education Minister Bronwyn Eyre said. “This is about making sure that the North has sustainable post-secondary programs and opportunities, including the teacher education that it deserves.”
Minister Eyre was in La Ronge on Thursday listening to stakeholders, the community and students addressing changes to the programming available in the North. The NORTEP Council will lead consultations this month with stakeholders and other post secondary institutions. This process will help the Council and the Ministry to assess options for providing teacher education and arts and sciences education beyond July 31, 2017. Students currently enrolled in any program offered by the NORTEP Council will not see changes to their programming this year.
The NORTEP Council will provide recommendations to the Ministry of Advanced Education in December. The ministry will consider the recommendations to determine a student-focused approach for transitioning programs to a post-secondary institution. The Minister is expected to make a decision respecting future program delivery early in 2017. A detailed transition plan will follow.
Both the NORTEP Council and the Ministry agree that changes in the delivery of the NORTEP and NORPAC programs must be carefully considered to minimize impacts on current and future students.
“Our work with the NORTEP Council over the next year will ensure that we continue to provide post-secondary education opportunities in the North,” Eyre said. “It has been inspiring to hear again from students firsthand how university opportunities in their home communities have opened doors for them. This government is committed to ensuring that post-secondary education is accessible to students, responsive to the needs of the community and maintains the quality that the citizens of Saskatchewan expect.”
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For more information, contact:
Marieka Andrew
Advanced Education
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3170
Email: marieka.andrew@gov.sk.ca