According to the Provincial Auditor, the Ministry of Education lacks specific targets for Indigenous student success, including grade-level performance in reading, writing and math. The high-school graduation rate for Indigenous students is 44.7% and has not increased since 2018. The graduation rate of non-Indigenous students is 88.7%.
The Auditor also found that Sask Polytechnic lacks specific targets for Indigenous student success and has seen Indigenous enrollment decline by 30% since 2018.
“Indigenous people are the fastest growing demographic in Saskatchewan and this government is not setting Indigenous youth up for success,” said Bowes. “They’re watching their peers walk across the stage, graduate and go on to good jobs without them. This government is failing to ensure effective recruitment and retention strategies are in place for Indigenous students and that is simply unacceptable.”
“Frankly, the fact this Sask. Party government lacks any specific measures and targets for Indigenous students shows just how little they care. We’re lacking the kind of supports needed to ensure we are setting Indigenous students up for success,” said Nippi-Albright. “They also need to listen to the Auditor and to Indigenous people and start requiring proof of Indigenous identity for staff at our colleges and universities.”
The Official Opposition calls on the Government of Saskatchewan to immediately commit to implementing all recommendations in chapters 3 and 5 of the Auditor’s Report.
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