EducationAFN Education Sector RFP Framework First Nations Education Action Plan
The Chiefs Committee on Education (CCOE) and the National Indian Education Council (NIEC) held a three-day working session July 12-14 and strategically addressed the following issues: Post-Secondary Education (PSE) taxation by drafting a resolution tabled at the July 2004 Annual General Assembly (AGA); additional funding and capacity requirements for the Education sector; the Special Education (SE) business case; the Band Operated Formula Funding Review in relation to increased funding for First Nations Schools; the establishment of a Jurisdiction working group; and information collecting and input on the Lifelong Learning Policy Roundtables. The CCOE-NIEC conducted a two-day retreat in Vancouver on November 4-5 in order to update and articulate national educational priorities, strategically prepare for the Lifelong Learning Policy Roundtables and begin formulating a five-year strategic plan on First Nations Education. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)’s submission of the business case for the renewal and expansion of the Special Education Program (SEP) has been presented to the CCOE-NIEC as well as the national joint working group on SE. It is expected to go forward to Central Agencies in November. The AFN and INAC hosted a two-day joint working session of the Band Operated Formula Funding (BOFF) Review Working Group in Ottawa on October 28-29, where the regional summary of the results of the provincial comparisons were presented and discussed. The working group also heard presentations for the other three components of the work plan which include the Teachers Salary Review, Main Estimates versus Allocations for Education, and First Nations unique cost drivers. Quebec representatives also gave a presentation on the results of their comparability study and distributed the research paper. Recommendations, Action Items and Next Steps will be presented to CCOE-NIEC and INAC officials for their consideration. The next working session is tentatively set for January 2005. The terms of reference for the AFN Jurisdiction Working Group were developed at the July 2004 CCOE meeting. Each regional NIEC member will provide recommendations for appointment to the working group. Drafting of the work plan is in development and is based upon the Regional Scan of Jurisdiction Activities which the AFN sponsored and collated in March 2004. The AFN Education Sector has prepared a national background paper on Lifelong Learning to present at the Early Childhood Education (ECE) and K-12 Education Policy Roundtable in November. The Education Sector has also drafted an Education Policy Framework document to be discussed and endorsed by the CCOE-NIEC. The AFN Education Sector has submitted a proposal to INAC for supplementary funding for the sector in order to increase capacity and address additional educational policy issues currently un-funded by INAC. A Director has been put in place to oversee education and to develop a new education function within the AFN to be more responsive to CCOE and NIEC vision and goals for FN Education. The Director responded to an invitation from UNESCO and the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights to participate as an expert in an International Indigenous Education policy forum in October. The results of the experts panel will contribute strongly to the content of his report, which will focus on the situation of indigenous education around the world, to the 2005 session of the International Commission on Human Rights. The Special Rapporteur stated his conviction, following the session, of the need for Indigenous Peoples to control all aspects of their education. He also noted the need to examine education as a treaty and indigenous right in Canada. As a result of discussions with the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCR), a moratorium on the implementation of the taxation of Post-Secondary Education (PSE) student allowances has been put in place until December 2006, and the matter has been referred to the Income Tax Rulings Directorate of CCRA, specifically the Aboriginal Affairs and Non-profit Sector. The AFN has been meeting regularly with the federal government departments involved in order to convince the federal government to re-examine this issue. A letter from the National Chief will be sent to key Ministers asking their assistance in providing a political solution to this frustrating situation. In addition, the AFN has drafted a discussion paper on the Post-Secondary Education taxation issue and distributed it to the CCOE-NIEC for feedback, review and revisions. INAC has completed a review and evaluation of the Post-Secondary Education program and a joint working group has been established with the AFN to review and recommend possible program revisions. The activities of this group will also inform the Authority Renewal process for this program. The Teachers Salary Review has been completed jointly by the AFN and INAC in order to collect the required data to develop the business case that would substantiate a continuation of the teachers salary enhancement fund and examine the need for a further increase in teachers salaries. This information is to be incorporated into the business case development for increases in the Band Operated Formula Funding for First Nations schools. A communication strategy for the results of the review is currently being drafted.
Anticipated Achievements by the AFN Confederacy of Nations meeting, spring 2005
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