As children across Canada return to the classroom, a new report from the Assembly of First Nations shows a deteriorating infrastructure crisis in First Nations schools.
The report from the AFN says there are severe structural shortfalls across 395 schools and more than 1,200 teacherages located on reserves across the country.
According to the study, 77 First Nations schools require immediate replacement, an increase of 21 facilities since 2021.
The AFN also says overcrowding is also on the rise, with more than 225 schools exceeding Ottawa’s own space accommodation standards.
National Chief Woodhouse Nepinak called on the federal government to address the shortfall in the upcoming 2026 federal budget, warning that unsafe environments disrupt learning and make it difficult to retain teachers.
The organization calculates that 19 billion dollars in capital investment is needed over the next 20 years, alongside 550 million dollars annually for operations and maintenance, to close the gap.
The findings have been submitted to Parliament as part of the advocacy group’s pre-budget submission, ahead of expected discussions at October’s First Ministers’ meeting.
(TOP PHOTO – AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak. File Photo)