Local Education Agreements

As described in the BC Tripartite Education Agreement: Supporting First Nation Student Success (2018), Canada, BC, and the First Nation Education Steering Committee (FNESC) are committed to improving First Nation student outcomes and acknowledge Local Education Agreements as an important mechanism to increase accountability and to promote and achieve effective working relationships between First Nations and boards of education, enabling them to work collaboratively to support First Nation students.

What is a Local Education Agreement?

A Local Education Agreement (LEA) is an agreement that sets the terms and conditions for the purchase of education programs and services for First Nation students living on reserve by a First Nation. LEAs are a key mechanism for accountability and effective working relationship between a First Nation and school board or, a First Nation and an independent school authority. LEAs also include terms and conditions related to improving First Nation student outcomes and developing the relationships necessary to accomplish that mutual goal.

The Model LEA

The Model Local Education Agreement (Model LEA) was co-developed by FNESC and the Ministry of Education and Child Care (ECC) based on FNESC’s previously drafted Provincial LEA template. The Model LEA is intended to ensure a minimum standard on LEAs across the province.

Under Section 86.2 of the School Act, First Nations can require the application of the Model LEA between the First Nation and the Board through a written notice to the Ministry of Education and Child Care and Board.

Options for First Nations

First Nations who have Nominal Roll students enrolled with a Board and do not have a pre-existing LEA may choose to:

  1. Not have an LEA;
  2. Negotiate a custom LEA; or
  3. Apply the Model LEA (NEW)

Application of the Model LEA

Under the newly amended sections 86.1 and 86.2 of the School Act, a First Nation with a student(s) on Nominal Roll attending public schools and with no active LEA may, by delivering written notice to the Minister and a board of education, require the Model LEA to apply to their First Nation and the board. This Model LEA applies as a contract between the First Nation and Board.

FNESC and the Ministry of Education and Child Care developed a template letter (in fillable PDF format, attached) to facilitate the process for a First Nation’s request to implement the Model LEA.

The Model LEA also serves as an available precedent for a First Nation and a board, if the First Nation and board wish to negotiate their own LEA.

Provincial Policy on Local Education Agreements

FNESC and the Ministry of Education and Child Care developed the Local Education Agreement Policy which supports the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan action 1.6, which commits to the co-development of legislation that requires LEAs with First Nations where a First Nation wants one, and that requires the application of the provincial LEA at the request of the First Nation.

Upcoming Events

FNESC will be hosting four regional meetings to support First Nations on effective implementation of the amendments including the Model Local Education Agreement, Indigenous Education Councils and First Nations School of Choice.

These meetings will provide information supplemental to the discussions on the School Act amendments that took place at the April 19th, 2024.

Learn more about these events

LEA Resources

Note: FNESC is currently working on updating the LEA Toolkit to better align to the current legislation and policy context as well as the application and content of the Model LEA.

For questions regarding LEAs or Model LEAs, First Nations may contact the FNESC team at: lea@fnesc.ca