FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                          April 4, 2022

WHITEHORSE – The Yukon Party used Question Period on Monday to raise concerns brought forward by four groups who have an extensive stake in Inclusive and Special Education in the territory. The groups say more collaboration and accountability are needed.

The groups, which include the Yukon Association of Education Professionals, Autism Yukon, LDAY Centre for Learning, and the Association of Yukon School Councils Boards and Committees made a submission to the Public Accounts hearings on the Department of Education’s response to the 2019 Auditor General’s Report on Kindergarten Through Grade 12 Education in Yukon.

The letter to the Minister dated January 4, 2022, says no substantive action has been taken in the last two years and that the current approach seems to be at the expense of addressing the current well-documented needs of many students in the system.

The letter also points out that government is not meaningfully involving these partners. Their participation at a recent summit reconfirmed that it seems government “is seeking superficial approval for directions already determined internally.”

“This letter raises many questions,” said Lake Laberge MLA Brad Cathers. “We are wondering why the government has not made any substantive changes since the Auditor General’s report in 2019. We also share the concerns from these groups, and wonder if the government plans to meaningfully collaborate with the signatories of the letter going forward.”

Attachment: January 4, 2022, letter from the concerned groups.

-30-

Contact:
Tim Kucharuk
Press Secretary
(867) 393-7026