Educators in Nunavut are urging parents to get involved in their children’s education.

A circumpolar conference on education wrapped up in Iqaluit last week, and the theme of the meeting was It Starts at Home.

School attendance rates in the territory hover around 70%. Government officials say that means by grade 10, the average student has missed three years of classes.

Educators at the conference said parents have a role to play.

Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami’s national committee on Inuit education is working on a campaign to mobilize parents, which will roll out in January.

"The saying is it takes a community to raise a child,” said Mary Simon, chair of the committee.

"It's not about blaming the parents, it's about how we can work together to support children and youth to stay in school,” she said.

The Kativik School Board in Nunavik is doing a community survey in Kangirsujuaq in Northern Quebec. It has found that 97% of its parents value education. In addition, 80% believe their children will attend post-secondary school.

However, Ulaayu Pilurtuut, who works with the school board, says skipping school has become the norm in the community.

So trained community members will now home to share those results and talk to families about how to set realistic goals.