Elementary / Secondary Education Programs

First Nations and their regional organizations have responsibility for managing and delivering education programs and services in a number of band-operated schools on reserve across Canada. In addition, AANDC delivers services directly on reserve in seven federally-operated schools and covers the tuition costs for First Nation children attending provincial schools off reserve but who still live on reserve.

In 2010-11, AANDC invested $1.5 billion in elementary and secondary education for First Nation students living on reserve which supported approximately 117,500 students from (kindergarten to grade 12). An additional $304 million was provided to First Nations for construction and maintenance of education facilities on reserve.

The breakdown of the 2010-11 funding is as follows:

• $1.3 billion for elementary and secondary instructional services, student support services and targeted programs (i.e. Teacher Recruitment and Retention, Parental and Community Engagement Strategy, New Paths for Education, SchoolNet, First Nation Student Success Program, Education Partnerships Program, and Special Education). Also this amount includes funding for the development of the Education Information System
• $157 million for
  • James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement/Northeastern Quebec Agreement
  • Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey Education Agreement
  • initial funding for the development of the British Columbia First Nation Education Authority  
• $97 million to support First Nation communities in the delivery of education services through Band Support Funding (BSF) and Band Employee Benefits (BEB) related to education services.

First Nation Elementary and Secondary Schools

Approximately 61 per cent of First Nation students attend schools on reserve. In support of these students, AANDC provides funding support directly to Band Councils and First Nation education organizations. First Nations, or their regional organizations have responsibility for managing and delivering education programs and services in band-operated schools on reserve.

For students who live on reserve but attend provincial schools off reserve, AANDC pays the tuition amount that the applicable province charges for non-Aboriginal students. This is paid to the First Nation or directly to the provincial Ministry of Education, depending on the agreement in place.

AANDC delivers services directly on reserve in seven federally-operated schools.

You may also be interested in:

• Federal Funding Levels for First Nations K-12 Education
• Publications and references
• Cultural/Educational Centres Program
• Education Partnerships Program
• First Nation Student Success Program
• First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy
• New Paths for Education Program
• Special Education Program
• News Release: Harper Government Delivers Increased Funding for K-12 First Nation Education