Northern teacher program funding cut

The provincial government plans to cut its funding for the Northern Teacher Education Program Council Inc. (NORTEP), a post-secondary institution in La Ronge, as of July 31, 2017.

According to an Aug. 19 NORTEP news release, the funding cut was announced in a July 28 letter to NORTEP from the Ministry of Advanced Education indicating that the funding will be redirected to another post-secondary institution.

Started in 1976 by the Northern Lights School Division, NORTEP delivers university classes to students in northern Saskatchewan at a campus in La Ronge so they don’t have to relocate to the south for post-secondary education.

Its original Northern Teacher Education Program offers students an opportunity to earn university degrees in education and arts (specializing in indigenous studies) through the University of Regina or the University of Saskatchewan.

Its Northern Professional Access College program allows students to earn university credits in disciplines other than indigenous studies or education, such as law, social work and administration.

In an emailed statement, Louise Greenberg, deputy minister of Advanced Education for the province, said the “consolidation of programming ” in La Ronge will eliminate an “overlap” in programs and ensure financial supports are “equitable” for northerners.

The changes will also lead to administrative savings, Greenberg said.

For the 2016-17 school year, the program “is secure and students don’t have to worry,” said Jennifer Malmsten, NORTEP’s vice president of administration.

In the future, she said she feels it’s likely most of the programs and courses offered will remain the same, as will the parent institutions from which the degrees are earned.

Greenberg ’s email said students will “continue receiving high-quality training in La Ronge,” including “university-level programming.” The email did not mention whether course offerings or the ability to obtain a university degree in La Ronge will change.

“The Ministry will work collaboratively with the Northern Teacher Education Program Council Inc., and other stakeholders on a transition plan that prioritizes student needs,” Greenberg said.

A committee headed by Malmsten is set to meet with ministry representatives on Aug. 29 to seek clarification on points contained within the government letter.

NORTEP’s annual budget is about $4.7 million, of which $3.4 million comes from an annual government grant, Malmsten said.

To date, the program has graduated 400 students, 91 per cent of whom went on to teach in northern Saskatchewan, according to the program’s website.

The Ministry of Advanced Education was unable to provide an interview by press time.