Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement

On March 3, 2010, representatives from School District No. 42, the Ministry of Education and local Aboriginal communities signed their 3rd Aboriginal education enhancement agreement at the Swan-e-set Longhouse on Katzie First Nation.

Aboriginal education enhancement agreements support the integration of Aboriginal culture in public schools, and Aboriginal communities are involved in the design of programs, services and curriculum delivery aimed at improving Aboriginal student achievement.

The two main goals of the agreement, which will be integrated into the district achievement contract as well as into each school’s growth plan, are:
• To improve Aboriginal students’ success.
• To improve Aboriginal students’ sense of belonging.

Many programs mentioned in the Aboriginal education enhancement agreement are already in place and supporting students. Currently the school district serves 992 aboriginal students, a number that has risen steadily over the past ten years despite a decline in the overall student population.

School District No. 42  is the first school district in British Columbia to sign their 3rd Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement.