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The future of education and educators was the focal point at Wednesday morning’s graduation at Nipissing University. The students in the various education programs received their degrees along with former Prime Minister Paul Martin. He was the recipient of an honorary degree. He gave a speech that touched on issues such as tuition fee’s and the lack of funding aboriginal communities receive for education. The federal government is responsible for funding education on reserves, but they spend less per capita than the provinces according to martin. He says that the government in Ottawa doesn’t have a great deal of educational expertise, but the provinces do. He says the results of this are seen in the drop out rates in aboriginal communities. Martin also says that there are big struggles facing the country in the areas of poverty and malnourishment. He says Canada needs to start doing the right thing here before telling other countries what to do. But with that in mind he says the experience of working abroad is one the graduating students should be excited for if they choose to.

written by matthew.sookram@northbayradio.rogers.com