Several communities are facing challenges with a shortage of student support assistants and educational assistants due to reduced funding through the federal government. Fisher River Cree Nation is grappling with a shortage of educational assistants at a time when more students with special needs are enrolled in the school system, reports CBC. Fisher River Cree Nation Councillor Barry Wilson said that Fisher River has submitted a request for more funding through Jordan’s Principle, but noted that there are challenges with students getting the necessary needs assessments done. Meanwhile, Nunatsiaq News reports that teachers in Nunavut have access to fewer student support assistants this year. The change reportedly stems from the ongoing review of the Inuit Child First Initiative, which means that school-related requests are being reviewed on a case-by-case basis in the interim. “There’s a lot of behaviour needs, a lot of medical diagnoses that need and deserve special attention,” said Nunavut Teachers Association president Justin Matchett. “It definitely causes a lot of stress, burnout and hardship on the teachers when they’re trying to manage all of that on top of teaching the curriculum.”
