An independent investigation into the Dehcho Divisional Education Council and its district education authorities has found some DEA members were continuing in those roles after their terms expired.
Initial findings and recommendations were published by the GNWT on Tuesday – a first step in an investigation initiated in June.
The review was launched after the NWT’s education minister, Caitlin Cleveland, heard “serious concerns from parents, educators, community members and education partners in the Dehcho.”
The investigator has recommended that elections be held as soon as possible to replace members whose terms have expired.
“Until elections can be held, steps should be taken quickly to appoint relevant members to the DDEC, which is composed of appointed members from each DEA, to ensure it continues to represent the entirety of the region,” read one of the investigator’s recommendations included in a Tuesday news release.
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The investigator also found some DEAs haven’t been aligning elections with local community governments, a requirement of elections legislation in the NWT.
“Issues around irregularity of elections are largely due to institutional challenges, including the small size of communities and limited availability of volunteers. There is no indication that any individuals placed themselves in positions with improper motives,” the investigator found.
The initial findings recommend the Department of Education, Culture and Employment take “a more active role in supporting education bodies with their elections, in coordination with local governments and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.”
The GNWT said it accepted all of the recommendations and is working with education bodies in the Dehcho to address the findings.
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Tuesday’s news release dealt with only some of the concerns the investigator has been tasked with examining.
The GNWT said work to investigate remaining matters is ongoing.
“Due to the volume of issues and the number of involved parties, as well as challenges with participation over the summer months, the investigation’s timelines have been extended to ensure fairness, while acknowledging the need for urgent resolution of some matters,” the news release stated.
A final report with all findings and recommendations is expected by early December.
