The federal government is beginning to transfer the responsibility of native education on reserves to native band councils. The transfers are based on a recommendation by the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) which states, "Aboriginal people should expect to see equity of results from education in Canada. This will not happen if the education system continues unchanged. For significant change to occur, Aboriginal peoples must have the authority to organize education and influence how their children are educated."

But is it the right move

The most recent example of such a transfer is a new deal between British Columbia and provincial native bands. The agreement will transfer the law-making authority and responsibility for K-12 from the federal government to BC native bands.

Specifically, the First Nations Education Authority would assess on-reserve schools, approve school growth plans, certify teachers based on standards higher than the BC College of Teachers, and develop curriculum that adheres to provincial learning standards.

This, it is argued, will help native people sustain their shared values. In addition, the aim is to improve education standards for on-reserve schools and give native bands more say about how their children are educated.

But rather than give bands more say, why not give parents and students more say The federal government, which is responsible for on-reserve education should provide native parents with a school voucher. Parents could then choose a school (on- or off-reserve, public or private) for their child. This will give parents and students a greater opportunity to seek a better education rather than create more levels of bureaucracy.

Furthermore, British Columbia taxpayers already pay for public, private and French school boards. Adding additional schools boards and education authorities to feed off an already bloated budget will only add to the burden of provincial taxpayers.

The graduation rate for native Canadians who live on reserves is 40 percent compared to about 70 percent for other Canadians. Through the Department of Indian Affairs, taxpayers spend $1.1 billion dollars a year - or roughly 20 per cent of its annual budget - to educate 120,000 native Canadians in over 500 reserve schools. This is equivalent to $9,166 per student per year. This amount is more than 35 per cent higher than the average of what provinces spend per full-time equivalent. For example, British Columbia spends approximately $6,833 per full-time equivalent student and has a 79 per cent graduation rate.

Clearly, a change is needed. Will native run schools districts and schools provide a better education for native students Only time will tell. However one thing is certain, to date, more bureaucracy has done little to improve the schooling of native children; what it has done however, is increase the costs to taxpayers.