RANKIN INLET/CORAL HARBOUR - A program which began this past school year in Rankin Inlet to introduce potential graduates to post-secondary institutions will take a major step forward in 2010.

Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik (MUI) sent five students to Ottawa and Winnipeg earlier in 2009.

MUI has upped that number to 12 this year and Sakku School in Coral Harbour has also joined the program, hoping to send 12 students to Ottawa and Winnipeg with the Rankin group.

To date, about 18 Rankin students have expressed interest in this year's program.

The students are selected based on a combination of attendance, grade average, attitude, behaviour and the effort they put into the fundraising events to finance the trip.

MUI teacher Katharine O'Connell organized the original program.

She said Baker Lake has also expressed interest, but its students won't be going at the same time as those from Rankin and Coral.

"It's not the easiest thing in the world for some of our students to go away to school, and this is a great opportunity for them to get familiar with the area and see what the different schools have to offer," said O'Connell.

"We went for six days last year and we'll be going for seven this time.

"Having the Coral students along will be great because it gives our kids a chance to connect with them to see if they share the same interests.

"Having more chaperons will also give us better flexibility as to the number of schools we can visit to meet student interests."

One Rankin student is attending Red River College after visiting the school in the program's first year.

Another is attending the nursing program in Iqaluit after being exposed to a similar course at Algonquin College as part of last year's trip.

O'Connell said the youth do get to take part in extracurricular activities during the trip.

But, she said, the focus is on the post-secondary institutions.

"We had a couple of students last year who weren't really sure what they wanted to do, and our trip sparked their interest in terms of what programs are available to them.

"Reading about programs online or in a book doesn't have the same impact as actually seeing it.

"It's more exciting for students when they can see where they'll be learning and what they'll be using in pursuit of their studies.

"It really peaks their interest and gives them a basic understanding of a program, whether they apply right away or wait until they're ready."

Coral teacher Robin Hatfield said the program will be expanded at Sakku School to include senior high school students in Grades 10 and 11.

She said she wanted to get Coral students involved in the first trip, but it was too late when she heard about it.

"We generally have about five graduates each year, so we decided to open it up at Sakku as an incentive tool to increase attendance and overall productivity," said Hatfield.

"We're excited about our students getting to Ottawa and seeing three of our former graduates in the Nunavut Sivuniksavut (NS) program.

"That experience may create a bridge for them and, hopefully, make the NS program seem more attainable."

Initial interest among Sakku students for the program has been high, with 25 to 30 attending the first meeting.

The group has started planning fundraisers, with the first event scheduled to launch within the coming week.

Hatfield said the criteria for being accepted into the Sakku program has been set at 90 per cent attendance, passing grades and a willingness to do their part with fundraising.

She said $40,000 will have to be raised for the trip.

"We'll be focusing mainly on our fundraising for now and, after the first report cards go out in November, we'll select the 12 students to make the trip.

"The fundraising is an important part of this and that means the kids have to be 100 per cent committed."

Educators at Sakku are hoping the students who take part in the program will be encouraged to work even harder to graduate and pursue post-secondary studies.

Hatfield said the program will be successful if the students come home knowing there's a lot of opportunity in the world beyond their community.

"We have those three students in the NS program and a couple more taking courses in Rankin.

"Our grads are just starting to spread their wings and get out there.

"It's going to be hard to raise $40,000 in Coral, but we have a lot of people up for the challenge and thinking positively.

"We're aiming for 12 to show it can be done and, hopefully, make this program an annual event."