District Education Authority (DEA)

The District Education Authority (DEA) is an elected body that meets regularly to discuss and make decisions about education issues that affect schools in their jurisdiction. Every community in Nunavut has a local DEA that collectively participates in the DEA Coalition, the territorial body for DEAs.

The role of the local DEA is to:

Set school policies, including those that deal with student behavior, student attendance and disciplinary actions
Monitor school programs by reviewing the school's annual plan, cultural program and program development and implementation plan.
Members participate in the staff hiring process for teachers and take the lead in hiring principals
Provide direction to principals on the administration of schools
Oversee Language of Instruction initiatives.
Set school calendars
They participate in school activities, often having a DEA member on school committees.
Increase community awareness of DEA policies and plans
Involve the community and parents in development of school policies and plans.
Make parents and students aware of the importance of education to their lives
Provide parents with information on how they can monitor and participate in their child's school success.
Facilitate communication between parents and the school

Who Can Participate?

DEA membership is elected for terms of three years (staggered). Guidelines for eligibility to run in a DEA election are governed under Section 19 of the Local Authority Elections Act. In general, DEA elections are open to any member of the community who is the age of 18 years or older.

For More Information: on the DEA in your community, please contact your local DEA or school principal.