Homeschooling in Nunavut
Legal with structured DEA approval and Inuit Qaujimatuqangit integration.
Homeschooling is legal in Nunavut but requires approval from the local District Education Authority (DEA) or Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut (CSFN). Parents must register their child with the local school, submit an Education Program Plan (EPP) for approval, and comply with ongoing supervision including bi-annual portfolio reviews. Approved programs may qualify for up to $1,000 annual reimbursement.
Quick Reference
School Days
-
No minimum
Hours Required
-
No minimum
Subjects
0
required
Notification
Yes
once
Key Requirements at a Glance
- Child must be registered with local community school while enrolled in homeschooling program.
- Submit Education Program Plan to DEA for approval prior to starting.
- Program must meet curriculum standards set by Minister of Education and incorporate Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
- Bi-annual meetings with school principal to review progress portfolio.
- Maintain records of attendance, work samples, and educational progress.
- Up to $1000 annual reimbursement for eligible educational expenses via DEA/CSFN.
- DEA provides supervision, support, and evaluation.
Legal Framework
Education Act, SNu 2008, c. 15, and regulations (most recent: C.R.Nu. R-004-2023). Section 34 recognises home schooling as one of the lawful exceptions to compulsory school attendance (alongside health reasons reported to the principal, attending traditional activities on the land, and living at an outpost camp). Sections 36-37 direct the Minister to develop programs encouraging regular attendance and require District Education Authorities (DEAs) to create local attendance policies. The Department of Education's Student Support unit oversees home schooling and provides health and wellness guidance. Responsible authorities: Nunavut Department of Education; District Education Authorities (DEAs).
Filing Requirements
What to file
Education Program Plan (EPP)
When
Before program start; EPP must be submitted to DEA for approval
Where
Local District Education Authority (DEA) or Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut (CSFN)
How to submit
Submit to local DEA; contact local school principal for guidance
What to include
- • Core subjects to be studied, specific curriculum and resources, instructional and teaching methods, assessment and progress monitoring approach, how program reflects Inuit societal values and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles
DEA must provide written reasons for any rejection, allowing parents to revise and resubmit. Child must be registered with local community school even though not attending classes in building.
How to Get Started
- 1
Contact your local District Education Authority (DEA) or school principal to understand local implementation and requirements
- 2
Develop a comprehensive Education Program Plan (EPP) detailing curriculum, resources, instructional methods, and assessment approach
- 3
Ensure EPP demonstrates how program reflects Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles and meets Minister of Education standards
- 4
Submit EPP to DEA for approval
- 5
Upon approval, register child with local community school
- 6
Begin homeschooling program and maintain required records
- 7
Prepare for bi-annual portfolio meetings with school principal
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Official legal status with government recognition
- ✓Financial support up to $1,000 annually for educational materials
- ✓Direct access to DEA support and school principal guidance
- ✓Child remains integrated in school system records
- ✓Flexibility in instructional approach within approved framework
Cons
- •Approval process required before starting
- •Mandatory ongoing documentation and meetings
- •Program must meet territorial curriculum standards
- •Application can be denied if EPP insufficient
- •Bi-annual portfolio reviews create accountability requirements
Questions about homeschooling in Nunavut
Is homeschooling legal in Nunavut?
Yes, homeschooling is legal in Nunavut under the Education Act, SNu 2008, c.15, Sections 21-23. However, it requires approval from your local District Education Authority (DEA) or Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut (CSFN) before you can legally begin. The process is more structured and approval-based than in most Canadian provinces.
What is an Education Program Plan (EPP) and what must it include?
The EPP is the primary document you submit to your DEA for approval before starting homeschooling. It must detail: the core subjects your child will study, the specific curriculum, textbooks, and resources you will use, your instructional and teaching methods, how you will assess and monitor your child's progress throughout the year, and how the program reflects Inuit societal values and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) principles. The DEA evaluates the EPP against a legal standard: your program must offer education comparable in scope and quality to Nunavut public schools.
Do I receive any financial support for homeschooling in Nunavut?
Yes. The Government of Nunavut provides registered, approved home educators with up to $1,000 per academic year in expense reimbursements through the Operational Directive on Homeschooling Reimbursements by DEAs/CSFN. Eligible expenses include textbooks, physical curriculum materials, registration fees for authorized distance education programs, and required educational equipment. Excluded expenses include furniture, backpacks, protective wear, Royal Conservatory of Music exams, animal husbandry resources, and weapons or hunting equipment.
What are the ongoing requirements after my homeschooling program is approved?
After approval, you must: maintain detailed, ongoing records of your child's progress, including work samples and daily attendance documentation; meet directly with the school principal twice per academic year to present a portfolio of your child's work and evidence of educational progress; and ensure your child remains officially registered with the local community school. These bi-annual portfolio meetings are the primary mechanism through which the territory monitors home education programs.
Must my child remain registered with a school while homeschooling?
Yes. Under Nunavut law, your child must remain officially registered with the local community school even though they will not attend classes in the building. The local school principal is legally designated to assist the DEA with evaluating, supporting, and supervising the home education program, creating a three-way accountability structure between you, the principal, and the elected DEA members.
What is Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and why does it matter for my homeschooling program?
Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) is the framework of Inuit traditional knowledge and societal values. The Education Act explicitly requires that DEA supervision of home schooling programs be grounded in IQ principles. This is not symbolic: it is a legal requirement that affects how your EPP application is evaluated. Your program plan must demonstrate how it reflects Inuit societal values.
What happens if my Education Program Plan is rejected by the DEA?
If the DEA determines your plan falls short of the legal standard of comparability to public school education, they can deny the application. However, they must provide written reasons for any rejection, which gives you the basis to revise and resubmit your EPP for reconsideration.
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Last updated: 2026-04-26 · NU homeschool law guide