The Education Partners Group includes some of the most significant
stakeholders in the BC education system, including FNESC, First Nations Schools
Association, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, BC Ministry of Education,
BC
Teachers' Federation, BC College of Teachers, BC School Trustees Association,
BC Superintendents Association, BC Confederation of Parents Advisory Council,
and the BC Principals' and Vice-Principals' Association, United Native Nations
and, Metis Nation BC. The majority of the Partners are signatories to a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) in 1999, that expressed their commitment to working
collectively and within the mandates of their organizations to improve school
success for Aboriginal learners in BC. Specifically, the Partners have begun
their efforts with a focus on three issues: Aboriginal Teacher Recruitment,
Employment Equity, and Anti-Racism.
Aboriginal Teacher Recruitment
Since the formation of the Education Partners group a number
of highly effective bridging programs have been implemented to offer post-secondary
preparation to Aboriginal people who are interested in entering teacher education
programs. These programs were made possible by the Aboriginal Teacher Education
Consortium (ATEC) which grew from an Education Partners Working Group. The
goal of this working group is to increase the number of Aboriginal teachers
working
in British Columbia. In 2003/2004 the University College of the Cariboo, Malaspina
University and Sto: lo Nation/Simon Fraser University were sponsored to offer
pilot programs that provide academic preparedness in English, Math and teaching
pedagogy. In 2004/2005 similar bridging programs are being undertaken by Malaspina
University College, University of Northern British Columbia, Okanagan University
College and the University College of the Cariboo. The participating post-secondary
institutes have shown a great commitment to making these bridging programs
a success for their students. ATEC
Brochure, ATEC Webpage
Employment Equity
The Employment Equity Working Group is another subcommittee
of the Education Partners group. This group is currently drafting an Aboriginal
Employment Equity Toolkit to assist in the goal of increasing the number of
Aboriginal teachers in the BC school system. The Toolkit will be a resource
that
will aid school districts in developing employment equity strategies that will
assist in breaking down some of the systemic barriers that do exist which
prohibit
the employment of Aboriginal teachers with the goal of increasing the number
of Aboriginal teaching staff.
Anti-Racism
FNESC works with the Education Partners to address the racism
encountered by Aboriginal people in the education system. Since 2001,
FNESC has been offering a variety of workshops for educators, administrators
and communities to raise awareness about racism and to share information about
effective ways of countering its manifestations. FNESC has also helped in the
development of an anti-racism toolkit and coordinates a network of skilled
Anti-Racism Leaders across the province. For current information about the
anti-racism initiative, click
here.
HOME 
SEARCH 
