The Saskatchewan government said Monday it will work with the Northern Teacher Education Program (NORTEP) council as the province eliminates an overlap in post-secondary programming.
“The consolidation of programming in La Ronge will eliminate an overlap in programming and ensure training and financial supports are equitable for Northerners,” said Louise Greenberg, the deputy minister of Advanced Education .
“We also anticipate that changes made to NORTEP will lead to administrative savings and strengthen post-secondary education as a whole in Saskatchewan.”
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Last week, NORTEP stated that their board of governors received a letter from the ministry telling them government funding would be discontinued by the end of July 2017 and redirected to another post-secondary institution.
“We are looking at ways to do business better and provide services more efficiently. This includes making our post-secondary education system the best that it can be and eliminating duplication of programming where possible,” Greenberg said.
“Any changes made to the post-secondary system in Saskatchewan will be student-focused.”
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NORTEP stated it has formed an internal committee to explore all options.
The ministry said it will work collaboratively with the council and other stakeholders on a transition plan that prioritizes student needs.
A meeting between Advanced Education and the NORTEP committee is expected to take place in Saskatoon on Aug. 29.
Greenberg added that students will continue to have access to university-level programming in La Ronge.
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