SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan government is making an investment to include First Nation schools in the provincial Microsoft licensing agreement.
The investment is in response to recommendations made by a joint task force appointed to help improve educational outcomes for First Nation students.
Education Minister Don Morgan said the $120,000 investment will mean better access to technology and resources for K-12 students at 91 schools.
“It will allow all of the First Nation schools all the way across the province to have the most up-to-date software so it will benefit students as they are learning on the software,” said Morgan.
“It will also benefit the First Nation administration because they will have common server software. They will be able to train their staff … and they’re also matched with what the rest of the province is using.”
Many of those schools have relied on open source software due to the high cost of licensing agreements.
“Having updated software is essential for the use of information technology in learning, and will greatly contribute to the educational successes of First Nations students and the future leaders of Saskatchewan,” said Bobby Cameron, vice chief at the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.
A number of communities still have to contend with low or no internet connectivity, an issue the province said it is working to address with SaskTel.
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