Prentice waffles on more funding for Nunavut

Money may not be the answer when it comes to improving the education system in Nunavut, Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jim Prentice says.

A recent reportby high-profile B.C. lawyer, Thomas Berger, who was hired as a conciliator to resolve outstanding land claim issues,recommended Ottawa spend more moneyto educateInuit peopleand ensure the spirit of the Nunavut land claim agreement is honoured.

Prentice said in a recent interview with CBC that Berger's recommendations are extensive and expensive.

"So it may not just be a question of more money," he said. "It may be a question of ensuring we are getting the appropriate results from the appropriate effort."

He said his department spends more on education in Nunavut than any other jurisdiction.

Nunavut's premier says action needed

However, Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik said it's time theConservative government decided what it's going to do with the Berger report, released in March.

"They needed time to adjust and I've given them some time, but there is a need for action soon if we are going to improve the situation we are facing today," Okalik said.

In his recent report, Berger concluded better education would increase graduation rates and Inuit employment with the territorial government.

Seventy-six per cent of Nunavut students never graduate from high school.

He recommended students be taught in both Inuktitut and English from kindergarten to Grade 12 to help keep them in school.