IQALUIT - Nunavut's Department of Education is developing a new high school curriculum to move away from the current Alberta-based standard.

In doing so, the department faces the balancing act of creating locally-relevant learning materials that meet national standards and are acceptable as preparation for post-secondary education.

"It's an incredible mandate," said Cathy McGregor, director of curriculum and school services.

From Grades 10 to 12, Nunavut's schools use materials and exams developed by the Department of Education of Alberta. The material is difficult, but recognized nationwide as producing graduates prepared for a continued education in colleges and universities.

However, the curriculum contains a great deal of material that is simply not relevant to Nunavummiut students because it involves things not found in the territory.

For example, a question from a Grade 10 math exam uses the timing mechanism of a traffic light as an example for calculating fractions. Other questions involve bus fares and home newspaper delivery.

Nunavut has implemented three locally-developed high school courses: Inuktitut Language Arts, Nunavutiutit (natural sciences and social sciences) and Aulajaaqtut (health and wellness). All are accepted as valid credits by 25 universities from all over Canada, according to McGregor.

"Nunavut is working with universities and colleges to have all our courses as standards as universities," said education minister Louis Tapardjuk.

"It is important for students who go to post-secondary education. Universities require evidence of meeting standards."

In the meantime, schools adapt the Alberta curriculum as much as they can.

"I'm very proud of them that our students can work with the Alberta curriculum even through it is very difficult. Credit has to be given to our students for working with the curriculum that is very difficult," said Leena Meduq, co-principal of Attagoyuk School in Pangnirtung.

"I know there has been criticism of the Alberta curriculum but we are on a journey to change and I give credit to teachers for adapting the curriculum. It's the dedication of students and dedication of teachers that allow our students to pass a curriculum that was very unrelevant."

Nunavut is also considering ending the final exam system in favour of requiring students to do final projects instead.

That would demonstrate a more "holistic" understanding of the material, McGregor said. Such systems are already used in some parts of the United States.