Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, Qc (March 17, 2014) On Saturday March 15, 2014, Tarsakallak School in Aupaluk burnt down.

The fire occurred at the beginning of the school’s March break, thus giving the Kativik School Board a week to plan the students’ return to school. No one was injured by the fire.

“Our objective is that there be no, or minimal, school interruption for the students,” stated Director General Annie Popert.

In Aupaluk, the School Board is currently assessing a number of alternative locations where classes could be held. We will be in a position to identify suitable locations hopefully by the end of the day today. Once this is determined, repairs to existing infrastructures, as well as the shipment of classroom and pedagogical materials will begin.

The construction of a school extension and renovations were due to begin this summer. However, given to the extent of fire damages, a brand new school building will have to be constructed instead. To this end, construction and budget planning is currently ongoing, in coordination with the Quebec Ministry of Education.

The School Board is awaiting a police report to confirm the cause of the fire.

The Kativik School Board would also like to express its gratitude to all Nunavik schools and communities who have already extended offers of help and support.

About us:

The Kativik School Board (KSB) was created in 1975, under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. Since 1978, it has been the exclusive provider of education services offered to Nunavik’s population. The education programs developed by KSB are offered in the schools of the 14 communities of Nunavik. Inuktitut is the first language and English and French are second languages. For more information about us, please visit our Web site at: www.kativik.qc.ca

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For more information, please contact:

Jade Duchesneau-Bernier
Public Relations Officer
Kativik School Board
514-482-8220