Child and Youth Advocate Launching Review of School Attendance

Friday, 24 January 2020 15:18

The J.V. Clark School in Mayo, Yukon. Child and Youth Advocate Annette King is concerned about students missing significant time in the classroom. (Courtesy Yukon Community Profiles)

The Yukon Child and Youth Advocate, Annette King, is conducting an independent review of school attendance.

King says that many Yukon children are missing school far more than they should, but that these children have a right to receive educational programming to allow them to reach their full potential. She says that through the advocate’s office, they have learned of many children of al ages who are not in school. King described the problem as systematic, identifying over 100 children and youth who have ongoing issues with missing school.

King says that the issue is a complex one, without a simple solution. She listed a few potential reasons students are missing out on education, including suspensions, disengagement or general personal challenges that prevent school from being a priority. According to King, the office raised their concerns with the Department of Education last May, but there has been no satisfactory solution found. In King’s view, an independent review with public engagement will better help understand the prevalence of the problem and the barriers to consistent school attendance.

The Education Act supports children’s right to attend school, and more specifically, supports them in any specialized way that they require to learn in. This includes youth that require special educational programs. According to legislation youth aged 5 to 21 are entitled to an education, and children aged 5 to 16 are required to attend school.

The review is to consult families, communities, teachers, school councils, First Nation governments, the Yukon government and the children themselves. King says that the review is not meant to find fault or blame a particular group but instead to listen to children and fully identify the reasons for the problems and then to find solutions. She added that the experience of children and youth at school has direct impacts on their futures, and that its essential to come together for Yukon children at this critical time in their lives.

The Child and Youth Advocate is responsible for advocating for children and youth in the Yukon who are eligible for Yukon Government services and programs. The office is independent of the Yukon Legislative Assembly.