NWT expands on detail of $30M plan to improve inclusive schooling

The NWT government has released its plan to improve inclusive schooling, including how it will use $30 million over the next school year.

MLAs approved the funding to implement recommendations from an inclusive schooling review before passing the 2026-27 operating budget in March.

Prior to recent federal changes, the NWT’s education system received $58.6 million in Jordan’s Principle funding according to education minister Caitlin Cleveland.

Significant cuts are expected for the coming year as that funding goes away.

As NWT schools try to cope with those changes, Cleveland said the $30 million committed by the GNWT will “essentially double” the amount of funding earmarked for inclusive schooling in 2026-27.

In a press release on Thursday, the territory provided more details about how that money will be allocated and other actions it is planning to ensure all students can access education locally, regardless of need or ability.

Cleveland said the “vast majority” of the $30 million is expected to flow directly to education bodies to maintain services in schools in the 2026-27 education year.

The minister told Cabin Radio the territory is trying to be “as flexible as possible” in how it allocates money to ensure it will meet student needs. She said those decisions should be made at the local level.

The GNWT said the funding can be used for things like support assistants, program support teachers, and therapeutic and rehabilitation services.

“This funding provides a more predictable foundation for inclusive schooling and reduces reliance on short-term and uncertain funding sources,” Cleveland said during a Thursday public briefing.

GNWT commits to 11 recommendations

The NWT government’s review examined how inclusive schooling was working across the territory between 2024 and 2026.

Among the review’s findings were that students’ needs are becoming more complex and diverse, available supports do not always meet those needs, and schools largely rely on Jordan’s Principle and Inuit Child First Initiative funding for inclusive schooling programs and services.

Education officials accepted all 11 recommendations from the review.

They committed to actions that clarify what inclusive schooling means in practice, strengthen supports for educators, make the system easier to navigate, improve coordination with health and social services for students with complex needs, and increase accountability.

During Thursday’s briefing, education officials said they plan to implement those recommendations through a multi-year phased approach. They said they will to launch an online tracker so residents can see progress on commitments.

“It’s really important to me that, throughout this process, we’re seeing incremental change – and that northern residents are part of this story and know what’s to come,” Cleveland told Cabin Radio.

Improvements expected in the 2026-27 school year include the introduction of early childhood screening to help identify the learning needs of students sooner.

The territory has also promised plain-language resources to help families better understand available supports, clearer JK-12 transition protocols, and improved coordination with health partners for referral and follow-up.

In the longer term, education officials said they aim to launch a school-based rehabilitation service model in 2027-28.

They also want to more clearly define responsibilities between the education and health systems as well as improve referral and communication pathways.

The GNWT is further hoping that the results of a financial needs assessment, set to begin in 2026-27, will be available by spring 2028.

The territory said those findings will guide long-term funding models, staffing ratios and service levels, as well as system-wide accountability and monitoring approaches.