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NUNAVUT - The decline in enrolment at Nunavut Arctic College is not reflective of all campuses across the territory, say some educators.

Last week, the college reported the total number of students attending the college had declined slightly in recent years, attributing this partly to a lack of housing across the territory, a drop in third-party funding and the lure of the workforce.

MLA Ron Elliot, a former adult educator with Nunavut Arctic College in Arctic Bay, said issues such as lack of daycare and housing, and the attraction of employment are challenges for campuses across the territory.

"We have some people that would normally be going to school, but they're working in construction," he said. "People who normally would be in school are getting a wage income."

In other instances, potential students are unable to leave their families in order to pursue their studies, added Elliot.

"We're talking about extended periods away from home," he said. For the fur preparation program, he said, "the women would have to come down by themselves and that would be difficult."

The cost of bringing their families with them is also a barrier, as is the lack of housing across the territory.

"I know there's a fellow in Arctic Bay who wanted to bring his family down for the level one carpentry course," said Elliot. "Again, it's the same idea. They're only going to be offered a room at the residence and he's not able to bring his family."

Despite these challenges, the former educator has seen an increase in the number of students and programs being offered through the college in his community.

"In terms of Arctic Bay, we're kind of seen our numbers go up," said Elliot. "We've been able to offer more programs."

The increase is due to being well staffed, he added, but it is also an indication of the way the college is evolving to better accommodate communities' needs.

"If anything, it seems the college is sort of restructured," said Elliot. "The idea of what the college is trying to do is to move programs into the communities to try and get away from (the challenges) I was talking about."

In the one-room college in Kugaaruk, participation in programs fluctuates as the courses offered are tailored to local needs and interests.

The community learning centre has delivered courses on a variety of topics, from using Excel software to studying for the trades exam to making sealskin mitts.

While most are non-credit courses, such as academic studies, they teach important skills and can help Kugaaruk's residents advance in their careers, said Elizabeth Dinney, an adult educator with the NAC.

"There's other things happening that people are not aware of," she said. "It's not like there's only adult basic education."