Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 23/99) - Of all the Nunavut Governments departments, the largest by fiscal measure is education.

One-quarter of the Nunavut's budget is earmarked for education, according to the new territory's main estimates released in spring 1999.

In fiscal 1999-2000, Nunavut Government has budgeted $138.6 million for education. Of the $138.6 million, $132.1 million is for salaries and wages, grants and contributions and other operations and maintenance. Some $6.5 million is budgeted for capital projects ($4.3 million in the Baffin and $2.2 million in the Kitikmeot).

In his inaugural budget address, Nunavut Finance Minister Kelvin Ng said the new budget will aim $72.4 million at territorial schools, $13.6 million for Nunavut Arctic College and $28 million for income support.

"It will also add 17 teaching positions across Nunavut by reprofiling current expenditures," he also announced in the budget.

"This will help the department to accommodate the increased number of students and maintain its present level of service."

Almost half of Nunavut's population is under 20.

"This creates ever-increasing demands and pressures for health and education services," Ng said.

Among the educational items that the budget provides support for is a Nunavut prospector program.

In Nunavut, the Education Department is divided into six sectors (budget allocations in brackets): early childhood education and school services ($87.6 million), income support ($26.2 million), adult education and post- secondary services ($21.5 million), corporate services ($1.3 million), policy and planning ($1.5 million), and the directorate ($553,000).

Among other things, early childhood education and school services is responsible for education delivery of kindergarten to Grade 12. Distance learning systems including public libraries, television, radio and Internet services, is another area or responsibility.

Most of the branches staff reside in Arviat, with one person in Iqaluit.

Income support, designed to provide security for those in need, is co-managed by Education and Sustainable Development. Seven staff are based in Iqaluit.

Adult education and post-secondary services, comprised of 14 staff (13 in Arviat and one in Iqaluit), will offer services through Nunavut Arctic College, apprenticeship/trades education, literacy programs, career development and student financial assistance.

Corporate services, with a staff of eight based in Iqaluit, will provide support for human resource development and department finances.

The policy branch, comprised of four sections -- policy, student records, public libraries and public and corporate affairs -- provides research and planning. When fully staffed, it will include 12 people, eight in Iqaluit and four in Baker Lake.

Under the management of the deputy minister, the education directorate provides overall management support for the department.