Today, Ontario announced a historic step forward for First Nation students by removing barriers to quality education. The announcement came this morning at the Kinoomaadziwin Education Body location on Nipissing First Nation.
“We want to remove barriers of education for our first nation students,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education to CKAT’s Bob Coles.
“They have incredible promise and incredible ingenuity, they want to give back and they want to make a difference. When there is an impediment within the system that impedes a student on a reserve to access education or vice versa.”
Lecce announced the new Reciprocal Education Approach (REA) to ensure eligible First Nation students and their families are supported by a consistent and transparent process when they choose to study at a publicly funded school or a First Nation-operated school.
Lecce says when talking with First Nation leaders and elders, they made it clear there needed to be a change.
"I am fully committed to creating a seamless and successful learning experience for First Nation students to enable both graduation and access to good-paying jobs," said Lecce.
"The actions we are taking will reduce barriers for First Nation students and their parents, and ultimately provide more seamless educational pathways that will encourage First Nation students to continue higher learning."
The REA is the result of a collaboration between Ontario First Nation partners, school board associations and the Ministry of Education. The REA framework was developed in collaboration with these partners to help meet the unique needs of First Nation students, particularly those from Northern and remote communities.
Under the previous approach, formal agreements on base fees were required for First Nation students wishing to attend a provincially-funded school or First Nation-operated school. Negotiating these agreements often meant delays for students and their families.
Facing a lower graduation rate for First Nation students, the government acted swiftly to cut red tape for First Nations and school boards. Under this new approach, there is no longer a requirement to negotiate formal agreements for the base fee for students attending a provincially-funded school or First Nation-operated school.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1173998677930762240We are transforming
— Stephen Lecce (@Sflecce) September 17, 2019
#FirstNations education & empowering students to succeed in and out of the classroom.
Joined @GregRickford & @samoosterhoff in #NorthBay to announce our Reciprocal Education Approach that will especially benefit northern & remote communities.#onpoli pic.twitter.com/m6O70ZeKj5
