GNWT releases 2022-2023 report on the state of the Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 education system

Press Release

June 17, 2024

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released the Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 Education System Performance Measures Technical Report for 2022-2023.

This annual report provides a snapshot of the state of the Northwest Territories (NWT) education system and provides crucial data to help the GNWT and education bodies address student needs and provide the supports and resources necessary for students to thrive.

While there are some encouraging results identified in the 2022-2023 report, the GNWT recognizes that there is a lot of important work to do to improve student outcomes across the Northwest Territories.

The GNWT is committed to collaborating with partners, including education bodies and Indigenous governments, to support students throughout their education.

In addition to this year’s technical report, the GNWT is also releasing fact sheets on graduation and attendance rates, as well as the Early Development Instrument and Middle Years Development Instrument questionnaires.

Quote

“This annual report is an important tool to gain insights into the state of our education system. It helps identify what is working and where we are experiencing challenges as we continually work to improve student outcomes. The implementation of the new adapted NWT Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 curriculum and the successful pilot program for school Support Assistants are two examples of how we are working to address this. The GNWT will continue to collaborate with education bodies, communities, families, and Indigenous governments to address the gaps identified in this annual report, and support NWT students as they learn and grow.”

-Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment

Quick Facts

• The NWT graduation rate for 2023 was 59%. While this is a slight increase from the previous year, there continues to be a gap between graduation rates between Yellowknife and small communities, as well as Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.
• 94% of 4-5-year-olds are now attending Junior Kindergarten/Kindergarten. That percentage has increased over the last two years.
• Junior Kindergarten was made available across the NWT in 2017. This has had a positive impact on the readiness of children for Grade 1.
• Average school attendance in the NWT was 73.3% in 2023, which represents a continued downward trend in that area.
• The number of students enrolled in Indigenous language courses is increasing. The implementation of the Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 Our Languages Curriculum in NWT schools in the 2020-2021 school year has improved access to Indigenous language learning to NWT students.

Related Links

• JK-12 Education System Performance Measures Technical Report 2022-2023
• Northwest Territories High School Graduation Rates 2023
• NWT School Attendance Fact Sheet
• Early Childhood Development Instrument
• Middle Years Development Instrument

For media requests, please contact:

Briony Grabke

Manager, Public Affairs and Communications

Department of Education, Culture and Employment

Government of the Northwest Territories

Briony_Grabke@gov.nt.ca

867-767-9352 ext. 71073

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