A total of 261 Nunavummiut earned their high school diplomas in 2023, one fewer than the 262 grads in 2022.
The graduation rate drifted a little lower, however, dipping to 37.3 per cent from 38.4 per cent.
There were 141 graduates in the Qikiqtani region, 81 in the Kivalliq and 26 in the Kitikmeot. Three others came through the Pathway to Adult Secondary School program.
The Department of Education could not provide a breakdown of graduates by demographics such as Inuit/non-Inuit, male/female or the number of grads over age 19.
The high school drop-out rate remains a concern to the territorial government.
"Low high school retention is one of the biggest challenges faced by the Nunavut economy," the GN stated in its annual report on fiscal and economic indicators in the territory, noting that the national high school completion rate is 81 per cent.
The 2021 census, conducted by Statistics Canada and still releasing analyses this year, showed that four per cent of Nunavut Inuit had attained a university degree while 55.5 per cent of the territory's non-Indigenous population were university graduates.
Recruitment and retention of educations is another concern. As of the end of the 2023 school year, there were 728 educators in Nunavut but 145.5 vacant positions.
The number of educators by region was 365 in the Qikiqtani, 229 in the Kivalliq and 134 in the Kitikmeot.
Enrolment was up across each region in 2023-2024 compared to the previous school year. The 10,852 students registered territory-wide were 2.1 per cent more than the 10,629 in 2022-23.
$279.7 million budget
In its 2024-25 budget, the GN set aside $279.7 million for education, up from $273.5 million last year. That puts education at 13.1 per cent of the overall territorial budget, not including Nunavut Arctic College, making it the third-largest category behind health (24.4 per cent) and community and government services (14.5 per cent).
Kindergarten to Grade 12 school operations consume an overwhelming 75 per cent of the budget. The next two highest categories are educator development and advanced education, each at five per cent.
Most of the operations and maintenance budget goes to compensation and benefits for educators: $198 million.
From $43.9 million in grants and contributions, almost $15.9 million is split among district education authorities while a separate $4 million goes to the District Education Authorities Coalition. The Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS) program is projected at $8.9 million. Professional development for teachers is earmarked at $4.5 million while the Teacher Education Strategy comes in at almost $2.3 million. Early childhood program daycare contributions amount to approximately $2.2 million.
The amount going toward capital projects, $31 million, is less than half of last year's $74 million for capital expenditures.
Big push for full-time kindergarten
Full-day kindergarten was rolled out in five communities in August 2023: Iqaluit's Nanook School, Kugluktuk's Jimmy Hikok Ilihakvik, Kimmirut's Qaqqalik School, Chesterfield Inlet's Victor Sammurtok School and Whale Cove's Inuglak School.
In February 2024, the Department of Education announced that seven more Nunavut communities will begin offering full-time kindergarten in the fall: Resolute Bay, Taloyoak, Qikiqtarjuaq, Pond Inlet, Sanikiluaq, Grise Fiord and Gjoa Haven.
Funding bumps
Post-secondary education and training initiatives received a $12-million jolt from Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) and the three regional Inuit associations: Kivalliq Inuit Association, Kitikmeot Inuit Association and Qikiqtani Inuit Association in February 2024.
Of that total, $5 million in 2023-24 and another $5 million in 2024-25 will go to supporting Inuit in post-secondary education programs.
The remainder will be directed to Makigiaqta Inuit Training Corporation's mentorship, training and employment development efforts.
In a separate development in November 2023, the Department of Education revealed that Nunavut Inuit registered in FANS would be eligible for $500 per semester as a wellness benefit.
Fact file
Nunavut student enrolment 2023-24 (as of Sept. 30)
Qikiqtani: 5,366
Kivalliq: 3,406
Kitikmeot: 2,080
Total: 10,852
Source: Government of Nunavut