Pinehouse is one community where the school division has struggled to keep teachers. (Image Credit: ID 39609297 | Room © Kittipak | Dreamstime.com)

By Derek Cornet

retention and recruitment

Teacher education program launched in Pinehouse

Jun 3, 2026 | 4:51 PM

Northern Lights School Division (NLSD), in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan, will host a Bachelor of Education program in Pinehouse this fall.

“We’re hoping for approximately 15 students in the program and many of them have already been approved or received approval to be part of this cohort,” said NLSD Director of Eduction Jason Young.

“The candidates have already submitted all of their information to be accepted into university. Many of them have already received their letters, so now it is just a matter of finalizing that and having that number hopefully by mid-June.”

The Pinehouse Teacher Education Program (PHTEP) will run from September 2026 until August 2030. Students will be able to obtain a full Bachelor of Education degree with a specialization in Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Languages. Courses include Indigenous perspectives on Canadian history, Cree grammar and literacy, Indigenous ways of knowing and teaching for reconciliation in the kindergarten to Grade 12 curricula.

“Over the years, I have always seen a need for a few teachers in that community,” Young added.

Community safety

PBCN leaders respond to fatal shooting in Pelican Narrows, plan trip to Ottawa

1h ago

retention and recruitment

Teacher education program launched in Pinehouse

2h ago

Tri-Nation MOU

Three First Nations sign MOU to address drug crisis

3h ago

“The data we have shows one of the communities we have always had to recruit teachers is in Pinehouse. We just thought it would be prudent now to focus our efforts.”

There are several teacher education programs underway in Northern Saskatchewan in an effort to retain and recruit teachers. Other communities with programs include Beauval, Cumberland House, La Loche, La Ronge and Sandy Bay. Only the program in La Ronge has year-after-year annual enrollment.

“Every year, as we continually see the needs with recruitment/retention, we just need to be always responding to those needs, and this is the division’s attempt to address the needs we are seeing, this time in the community of Pinehouse,” Young said.

—

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

by Derek Cornet

Teacher education program launched in Pinehouse

What's Trending