The Government of Yukon is committed to ensuring schools are safe and inclusive environments for all students. The Government of Yukon recently provided a six-month progress report to the Yukon Ombudsman related to the recommendations provided by that office in February 2024.
Over the past year, significant steps have been made to strengthen policies, enhance training and improve school infrastructure to support students across the territory, including:
- Student Protection Policy training;
- Ready-to-Learn Schools implementation;
- Reimagining Inclusive and Special Education (RISE);
- support for 2SLGBTDQIA+ students and staff; and
- investigation processes.
There is more information on these initiatives in the backgrounder accompanying this news release.
In addition to the policies listed above, the Department of Education has made significant steps to prepare for the 2024–25 school year, filling approximately 94 per cent of positions in Yukon Education schools for teachers, principals and vice principals prior to the beginning of the school year and realizing a 42 per cent increase in recruitment of teachers on call when compared to this time last year.
The Department of Education also recently hosted the first Welcome Week for Yukon Education Staff since the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing together 200 new educators for two days of orientation focused on educational practices to support student learning, overviews of departmental policies, the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms and role-specific learning for teachers, learning assistance teachers, educational assistants and Yukon First Nation Language teachers.
Across the board, the Government of Yukon continues to work with school communities to achieve the highest standards of safety and inclusivity in Yukon schools.
Our government is committed to ensuring that students, families and staff feel safe, supported and valued in our schools. Nothing is more important to me, as Minister of Education, than the safety and wellbeing of students when they are in our care. The progress we’ve made to make students feel safe at school reflects our unwavering dedication to creating inclusive learning environments in schools across the Yukon. We’ll continue to partner with stakeholders to refine policies and practices, provide necessary training and make infrastructure improvements to support the wellbeing of all Yukon students.
Student Protection Policy training
All staff across the three school authorities have undergone comprehensive training as part of the Student Protection Policy. This training includes recognizing abuse, understanding inappropriate behaviours and following protocols for responding to incidents. Principals are responsible for ensuring all staff complete this training annually, and the department tracks compliance to maintain high standards.
New onboarding practices for all school-based and administrative staff have been implemented. This includes an electronic onboarding process that provides all new employees with the documentation and resources they need to be successful in their role and includes an overview of the policies and procedures that outline school-based staff roles and responsibilities to protect students from potential and actual harm by adults.
Ready-to-Learn Schools implementation
The Ready-to-Learn (R2L) approach supports the social and emotional wellbeing of students and staff. Over 200 staff members were trained in Ready-to-Learn at the beginning of the 2023–24 school year, and internal capacity is being built through ongoing professional development. The creation of seven training videos has further supported this initiative, focusing on practical applications, understanding brain development and the importance of fostering positive, supportive relationships.
Reimagining Inclusive and Special Education (RISE)
Communities of Inquiry, composed of various stakeholders, have been actively involved in reviewing and refining government approaches to inclusive and special education. This collaborative process ensures that Yukon First Nations’ ways of knowing, doing and being are integrated into government actions. The final report from these communities is expected in the coming months, marking the completion of the 2021–24 Reimagining Inclusive and Special Education work plan. This final report will lay the foundation for improvements in inclusive practices and support for all students.
Support for 2SLGBTQIA+ students and staff
The Yukon Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Educator Network, in collaboration with the ARC Foundation and SOGI 1 2 3, has made significant strides in supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ students and staff. The network connects educators, provides resources, training on inclusive classroom practices and facilitates discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity topics. Many schools now have designated safe spaces, such as gender and sexuality alliances (GSAs), social justice clubs, diversity rooms and Rainbow Rooms, to support inclusivity and provide a welcoming space for all. Schools have also planned and implemented initiatives and activities that promote equality and non-discrimination.
Enhanced school infrastructure
Investments in improved school infrastructure are enhancing safety and accessibility. These investments include:
- installing accessibility bathrooms and ramps at Golden Horn Elementary and Grey Mountain schools;
- adding four accessibility swings at Golden Horn Elementary, Grey Mountain Primary, Whitehorse Elementary and Holy Family Elementary schools; and
- implementing security measures, including cameras and automatic door openers, at various schools; and continued work to identify areas of safety for students and staff.
Parent advisory committees
Collaboration with the Hidden Valley Elementary School Parents Advisory Committee has been invaluable. The Department of Education is working towards a Yukon-wide Parent’s Advisory Committee. The department is consulting with school councils, school boards, Yukon First Nations, and other education partners to create the committee’s terms of reference. This committee will help represent families’ voices from all Yukon communities in education governance and shaping Yukon schools.
Investigation processes
The Department of Education takes all allegations seriously. Steps have been taken to improve coordination and communications across the entire Government of Yukon for addressing serious incidents. A Government of Yukon Critical Incident Guideline has been created along with a multi-department Critical Incident Group, which supports the navigation of the complexities and challenges that are part of responding to potential serious incidents to ensure the right steps are taken at the right time, in a timely and appropriate way.
The Government of Yukon is also supporting and cooperating with the Child and Youth Advocate Office in their systemic advocacy of safety in school. The outcomes of this work will help the Government of Yukon implement necessary actions to prevent any future occurrences and to ensure safety for all students.
More information on how to report and support students who may have been harmed by adults can be found at Yukon.ca/supporting students at school and Supports for victims of crime.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
Laura.Seeley@yukon.ca
Sophie Best
Education
867-332-6225
Sophie.Best@yukon.ca