The Government of Canada is mandated to provide eligible students living on reserve with elementary and secondary education programs comparable to those that are required in provincial schools by the statutes, regulations, or policies of the province in which the reserve is located. Therefore, the expectation is that students on reserve will receive an education that is comparable to other children and youth in the same province, and that they will achieve similar educational outcomes.¹

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada developed National Program Guidelines for Elementary and Secondary Education, which includes outcomes, activities such as instructional services and student support services, eligibility criteria, attendance criteria, eligible expenditures, funding arrangements, monitoring and accountability.¹

¹Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. (2013). Elementary/Secondary Education Program National Program Guidelines 2013-2014 – accessed November 14, 2018.