Nearly 50 per cent of First Nations students across Canada fail to attain high school diplomas, with British Columbia having a slight edge over its provincial peers in Aboriginal education. A study conducted by John Richards, professor of economics at Simon Fraser University, indicates that Canadian provinces with high completion rates still lagged behind their non-Aboriginal counterparts significantly. However when contrasted with the national non-completion rate of 48 per cent, BC performed relatively well, with a non-completion rate of 38.5 per cent among First Nations students. Richards points out that better communication within reserve schools and their partners is a key factor in the province’s performance. “Finally, BC reserve schools have achieved more coordination among themselves and with the provincial system than is the case in any other province.” Canada must look towards the ever-improving BC model as a blueprint for nationwide reforms.
With files from The Vancouver Sun
