There were 307 Nunavut graduates in 2023-24, a significant increase from 261 students who earned their high school diplomas in 2022-23.
The Qikiqtani region shepherded 145 grads, there were 115 in the Kivalliq and 47 in the Kitikmeot.
The gross graduation rate was 44.8 per cent in 2024, according to the Department of Education. That was an improvement over 37.3 per cent in 2023. The gross graduation rate is calculated by dividing the number of graduates by the average population of 17-and-18-year-olds.
The Government of Nunavut noted that the national graduation rate is 81 per cent, so although Nunavut's rising rate is "highly encouraging, these figures indicate much work remains to be done."
As of Sept. 30, 2024, the total headcount enrolment for the 2024-25 school year was 11,327, which was a 4.4 per cent increase over 10,852 students enroled in 2023-24.
The total number of Nunavut Teachers' Association positions in the territory in 2023-24 was 876.5 and there were 83 vacancies. Regionally, 433.5 teachers positions existed in the Qikiqtani (with 34 vacancies), 277 were based in the Kivalliq (with 34 vacancies) and 166 were in the Kitikmeot (with 15 vacancies). In 2022-23, there were 728 educators in the territory and 145.5 vacancies.
Where the money is going
The Government of Nunavut has set aside $289.5 million for education operations in 2025-26, which is 12.7 per cent of the overall territorial operations budget. It tops $279.7 million spent on education in 2024-25.
Of the 2025-26 operations total, $106.7 million will go to the Qikiqtani, $73.2 million will be spent at headquarters, the Kivalliq will make use of $66.6 million and $43.1 million will be disbursed to the Kitikmeot.
By far the largest item is compensation and benefits for department staff, which accounts for $206.3 million. Grants and contributions is next at $44 million and then service contracts at $23 million.
District education authorities contributions will total an estimated $15.8 million. The District Education Authorities Coalition will receive $4 million.
There will be $8.9 million for the Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS) Program, $6.2 million for travel, $4.7 million for materials and supplies, $4.5 million for teachers professional development, $3.8 million in purchased services, $2.2 million for the Teacher Education Strategy and $2.1 million for Early Childhood Program daycare contributions.
Capital projects
Capital expenditures falling under the Department of Education will be an estimated $56 million this year, down from $88.3 million last year. That's 16 per cent of the GN's 2025-26 capital budget.
Projects itemized in the capital budget include ongoing construction of the new high school in Taloyoak, major renovations and an addition to Sakku School in Coral Harbour, buses for various communities and information technology infrastructure for various schools.
Nunavut Arctic College
The GN has set aside $48.1 million for Nunavut Arctic College in 2025-26, up from $42.4 million spent in 2024-25. The college also functions based on $15.5 million in third-party funding and $7.5 million from tuition fees and other revenue sources.
Of the 2025-26 total, an estimated $24.7 million will go to the Qikiqtani region, $13.7 million is devoted to the Kivalliq, $5.1 million will be used at headquarters and $4.7 million is going to the Kitikmeot.
Within the college's $71.1-milion overall budget, nearly $43.8 million will go to compensation and benefits, $12.7 million is earmarked for service contracts and $5 million is devoted to fees and payments.
The college failed to file its 2023-24 annual report as of the first week of June, leaving numerous other figures unknown by press deadline.
FACT FILE
Nunavut student enrollment 2024-25 (as of Sept. 30)
Kitikmeot: 2,102
Kivalliq: 3,551
Qikiqtani: 5,674
Total: 11,327
Source: Department of Education
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