On Air Now The Drive Home Show 3:00pm - 6:00pm

Now Playing Hosted by William Carlick The Drive Home Show

Listen Live

Child and Youth Advocate Looking at Back to School Issues

Thursday, 20 August 2020 13:12

How will education plans be implemented? How will anxieties be addressed? What will the response be to new issues as they arise, and how can the solutions take pre-existing advocacy issues into account as well? Child and Youth Advocate, Annette King

Students across the Yukon are returning to school for the 2020/21 school year and Yukon's Child and Youth Advocate Annette King is wondering what issues this school year will bring. She says, "The COVID-19 situation is creating new obstacles families have not experienced before, and is intensifying problems that already exist".

The Yukon child and Youth Advocate Office has been conducting an independent review of the barriers to school attendance in the territory for the past year. "Inconsistent school attendance has been a widespread problem in this territory," says King. "There are numerous children who are not adequately accessing their right to an education. Is the situation for these children going to get even worse?"

In the Advocate's discussions with children, parents, First Nations, professionals and educators, it is clear that there is a shared vision to improve education for children and youth. How will education plans be implemented? How will anxieties be addressed? What will the response be to new issues as they arise, and how can the solutions take pre-existing advocacy issues into account as well?

"The social impacts of the pandemic can have lasting impacts on how children develop," says King. "The manner in which adults translate their own stress, and constant state of uncertainty, directly relates to how children will cope. Everyone will need to continually adapt to this new reality and put the needs and rights of the children in the forefront of decisions being made about them. We want to encourage everyone to continue to reach out and get the support they need. We want to hear what is working and what isn't."

More from CHON-FM Northern News

BC man convicted of manslaughter

The Crown submitted that Primozic died as a result of multiple blunt and sharp force injuries.
Hamilton Boulevard trail cleared as winter pilot project wraps up

Priority 1 trails are normally cleared as close to the surface as possible.
Yukon RCMP roll out new navy-blue uniform shirts

The RCMP says the updates improve comfort and fit for officerswhile keeping them recognizable
Yukon releases final flood maps for Dawson, Klondike Valley, Upper Liard

Draft maps for Dawson and the Klondike Valley were available for review from August 12 to September 10, 2025.
Inquest into the death of Manui Roux to be held in Whitehorse

The inquest aims to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding Roux’s death
Yukon municipalities to receive record $30 million in funding

In addition to the funding for municipalities, up to $88,000 is allocated annually to the Association of Yukon Communities for professional development opportunities.
Yukon expands winter electricity relief for residents

The program is designed to support families struggling with winter electricity bills and is replacing previous rebate programs.
Ross River Dena Council says 'no' to proposed mining on its traditional territory

The decision to approve the mine represents both a severe and unjustified infringement of its constitutionally protected Kaska Aboriginal Title and Rights
LSCFN stands firm: 'No mining in the Breadbasket'

Chief Russell Blackjack emphasizes that no mining activity will be tolerated in this area
Yukon Government accepts responsibility for abuse at Jack Hulland Elementary

The Government accepts full responsibility for the harm caused and apologizes to the affected children and their families.
Whistle Bend road connector project gets $8.7M boost from federal government

The Whistle Bend Neighbourhood Active Transportation Connector project will receive over $8.7 million to build 5.5km of multi-use pathways and protected bike lanes, connecting downtown Whitehorse to Whistle Bend
Yukon Government signs deal with Alliance Health for primary care clinic

The clinic, located at 106 Lambert Street, will utilize the existing River Valley Medical Clinic space and serve approximately 2,000 new patients over the next two years.
Man Missing in Whitehorse: Reuben van Klaveren Sought by RCMP

He was last seen near the Millennium Trail in Whitehorse on March 31, 2026, wearing blue jeans, a winter jacket, and glasses.
Yukon Government passes health authority act amendment amidst first nations concerns

The amendment reflects the government's commitment to strengthening frontline healthcare and improving health outcomes, as promised in the 2025 election
Selkirk First Nation announces election results

Jeremy Harper was acclaimed as Chief and Rena Simon as Youth Councillor, effective February 10, 2026.
Carcross/Tagish First Nation cuts community safety services amid funding shortfall

The federal government's First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP) funding will end on March 31, 2026.
Yukon First Nations Outraged Over Clean Energy Act Repeal

Repealing the Act without consultation ignores this partnership and undermines progress made
The Yukon Employees’ Union is weighing in on the Health Authority Act’s uncertain future

The YEU calls on the Yukon government to engage in honest, constructive discussions with health care workers and their representatives.
The Village of Haines Junction has announced the launch of a new grant program

The project has three separate streams: one to help developers build affordable rental units, one to help developers build new homes for sale, and one to help homeowners build new primary residences.
Yukon's air ambulance program gets upgrade

The new planes, equipped with advanced life support equipment