Vancouver/CMEDIA: Students in B.C. will be facilitated to earn credits for First Nations language and culture programs through the expansion of the External Credentials Program (ECP).
Effective Friday, July 1, 2022, there would be a possibility of recognition and approval of the First Nations’ created programs for their language and cultural learning by the Ministry of Education and Child Care as external credentials that students can use toward graduating.
“The ministry is pleased to work in partnership with the First Nations Education Steering Committee to enable students to receive credit toward graduation for First Nations language and culture teaching that takes place outside of their regular school program. This new external credential option recognizes the valuable learning opportunities that First Nations provide to youth in their communities,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education and Child Care in a news release.
The eligibility criteria for external credentials, programs must be comparable in depth to Grade 10, 11, and 12 courses.
The performances of students would be subjected to the assessment by a subject-matter expert to determine students’ achievement and successful completion of the program.
Examples of language and culture programs that could count for an external credential under the expanded ECP include:
- First Nations language proficiency;
- First Nations drumming and/or dancing;
- A formal on‐the‐land learning program;
- A traditional medicine or traditional foods learning program;
- First Nations carving and traditional art; and
- A traditional sports program.
“This change is a meaningful part of our ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Education and Child Care to make the B.C. education system more relevant and responsive to our students and our communities,” said Tyrone McNeil, president of First Nations Education Steering Committee in the news release.
Some of these external credentials may go towards accreditation toward required courses for the B.C. Dogwood Diploma (e.g., arts education or applied design, skills, and technologies), while others may provide credits for elective courses for graduation.
In addition, certain external credentials can also provide credits toward the adult graduation diploma.
The expansion of the ECP will also encourage other new organizations and credentials to be recognized, the first time there have been significant changes since 2010.
This change to the ECP is different than the Province’s Indigenous-focused graduation requirement, which requires all students to take four credits of Indigenous courses to graduate, starting in the 2023-24 school year.
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