The number of issues and concerns related to the Yukon’s education system have continued to pile up over the summer, the Yukon Party said Thursday.

The government, meanwhile, has countered that the opposition party is simplty trying to stoke fears and division.

“Unfortunately, there has been a lack of leadership from the minister of Education (Jeanie McLean), or any member of cabinet, for that matter, as these issues come to a head on the eve of back-to-school,” the party said in a statement.

Concerns about staffing vacancies have been raised publicly by Ted Hupé, the president of the Yukon Association of Educational Professionals, teachers, and from school councils and communities, the official Opposition added.

“The teacher shortage and a lack of planning by the Liberal government has led to a number of job vacancies in schools throughout the territory as the new school year begins and reports of principals left without support to recruit staff members,” the Yukon Party said.

“To fill the gaps, there are reports of patchwork solutions of staff being required to take on positions outside their specialty.

“It seems these concerns are unfortunately becoming a reality, and is another indication that this Liberal government has simply checked out.”

Though critical staffing shortages are a major issue across the North, the party added, “the lack of leadership and action from this Liberal government has been an ongoing concern in the Yukon.”

In a January letter to McLean, the educators’ association, Autism Yukon, LDAY Centre for Learning, and the Association of Yukon School Councils Boards and Committees “said no substantive action on Inclusive and Special Education had been taken in the last two years,” the YP noted.

“Due to poor planning and co-ordination, students in Dawson City will be starting their year a few days later. Upgrades to a portable at Robert Service School – first suggested by the Yukon Party in 2017 – will not completed for the school year to begin on time.”

In Whitehorse, the party added, “there are highly-visible major infrastructure projects at Elijah Smith Elementary, Hidden Valley Elementary School and École Selkirk Elementary that will not be complete when kids head back to class 
on Monday.”

“We are hearing from those on the ground that the education system in the Yukon has never been in worse shape,” said Education critic Scott Kent.

“For a government that says they are making education a priority, it seems Yukon educators, students and parents are bearing the brunt of the Liberals’ failure to address these concerns over the summer.”

Cabinet communications staff issued a statement about the Yukon Party’s concerns on Thursday afternoon.

“Once again, we are seeing the Yukon Party promote fear and division. It’s great that the Yukon Party is interested in education issues in our territory now,” the statement said.

“It would have been better if they had an interest in fixing them during the 14 years they were in government.

“Across the country – not just in the North – jurisdictions are experiencing education staffing shortages,” the cabinet stated added.

“It is also not unusual for there to be some staff postings and vacancies at the beginning of each school year. We continue to work closely with the very dedicated and hardworking school administration staff to prepare all Yukon schools to welcome students for another school year.

“There is nothing more important than the success of our students.”

Dawson-area students have received an extended summer vacation due to sewer and water supply construction work at their school.

The 2022-23 year had been due to start yesterday.

However, “progress on multiple school construction projects has impacted the school’s ability to open safely and to allow school staff to be ready to receive students,” Marilyn Marquis-Forster, the area superintendent for the Department of Education, advised parents Wednesday.

As for most Yukon schools, Dawson’s school year will now begin Monday.

“We acknowledge learning has been interrupted for the last three school years, and it is important that students have a full school year,” Marquis-Forster added.

“In the coming days, we will be working closely with the school council, school administration and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in to determine the best approach to make up this learning time.

“Thank you for your patience as we navigate through this situation.”