Education in the Northwest Territories

The education system is the responsibility of the territorial government in the Northwest Territories (NWT). The Northwest Territories have a culture-based education, which reflects, validates and promotes the values of the community’s cultures.

The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, through the Department, is responsible for setting overall standards for curriculum for the NWT. Post-secondary education is administered by the territorial Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

There is only one post-secondary institution in the NWT – the Aurora College – with campuses in Inuvik, Fort Smith and Yellowknife, and learning centres in several other communities. There are also two career colleges in the province: the Academy of Learning and the Great Slave Helicopters Flight Training Centre.

Early Childhood and K-12 education in the Northwest Territories offer French as a second language and/or French immersion. The territory also has established Teaching and Learning Centres to develop materials for Aboriginal languages.