National Online Learning Day: A Northern Back-to-School Perspective

September 15 marks National Online Learning Day, an opportunity to highlight the essential role of digital education in Northern regions.

At Collège Nordique, online learning is more than just a tool: it’s a way to respond to the realities of the North by offering flexible, accessible, and adapted programs for students, whether they live in Yukon, the Northwest Territories, or Nunavut.

This approach is part of a broader Canadian trend: nearly 400,000 K-12 students participated in distance or online learning in 2021–2022, representing about 7.6% of the school population. In the Northwest Territories alone, around 120 high school students take distance courses each year through educational partnerships—evidence of how crucial this model has become for breaking down distance barriers and offering quality learning pathways in remote communities.

Globally, the e-learning market was valued at USD 263.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 933.5 billion by 2032, with an expected annual growth rate of nearly 15%. In this context, Collège Nordique stands as an innovative leader north of the 60th parallel: by providing accessible and adapted training, it helps strengthen the local workforce, supports the vitality of Francophone communities, and ensures that people can pursue quality education without leaving their region.

🎓 Behind every course, there are inspiring stories.

“It is inspiring to see our students earn their diplomas or certifications with excellence, all while balancing their professional responsibilities. Their determination and success are a true model of perseverance.” – Mounir Barry, Director of Student Experience and Quality Assurance (translated from French)

“This program allowed me to overcome the challenges of the North while pursuing my passion at my own pace, and I hope to inspire others to believe it’s never too late to start.” – Julie, 2025 graduate of the Early Childhood Education program (translated from French)

“Your content has deeply nourished me, both professionally and personally. In a field where training truly adapted to our reality is still rare, I found yours to be remarkably relevant. I greatly appreciated the Moodle format—practical, supportive, and directly applicable in the field.” – Alexandre Ambec, Early Childhood Educator (translated from French)

“I have taken several French language courses at Collège Nordique over the past five years. Because they are offered online, I can attend even when traveling outside Yellowknife. The quality of the distance courses is so strong that I actually prefer to take them online, even when I’m in town. I highly recommend this method for learning a second language.” – Beverly Wilson, French course participant (translated from French)

These voices reflect the real impact of online learning: breaking down barriers of distance, strengthening skills, and creating opportunities for a brighter future in the North.