FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                      March 12, 2024

WHITEHORSE – After five education stakeholders sent a scathing letter to the Minister of Education, the Yukon Party Official Opposition has tabled a motion in the Legislative Assembly. The motion calls for the minister and the Liberal government to take a second look at the new Educational Assistant staffing and school allocation policy.

The Yukon Party also introduced a motion for the Production of Papers regarding a report commissioned by the Department of Education to determine an allocation framework for EAs.

The motions read as follows:

THAT this House urges the Government of Yukon to pause recent changes in the Educational Assistant staffing and school allocations policy and consult with the school community and affected stakeholders before proceeding with further changes.

And

THAT this House do issue an order for the immediate return of the full report done by Engauge Consulting prepared for the Department of Education regarding the allocation framework for educational assistants.

“These five organizations characterized the changes to the EA allocation policy and procedures as ‘harmful’ and indicated that the changes have been made unilaterally, without public consultation or engagement with important community stakeholders,” said Education Critic Scott Kent. “They also question why a consultant’s report on allocation changes and procedures was not publicly released. The minister then muddied the waters by telling the Legislative Assembly the changes were minor. The minister needs to take a step back, listen to the concerns of these stakeholders, and release the consultant’s report so we all get the full picture of the allocation framework.”

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