There will be changes to the high school graduation requirements in Saskatchewan, starting with students who enter Grade 10 next year.  

"Allowing students more personal choice in their learning to better prepare them for their futures and getting Saskatchewan back to basics is a positive step forward," Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill said in a written release. "We have heard from the education sector that students need to be prepared for a rapidly changing labour market by focusing on the development of transferrable skills in areas such as financial literacy." 

The release issued by the government announcing the changes stated they are coming as a result of insight and recommendations from the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation, the League of Educational Administrators, Directors and Superintendents, First Nation Education Authorities, post-secondary institutions, Chambers of Commerce from across the province, parents and more. The changes also bring requirements in Saskatchewan in line with the requirements in a number of other provinces.  

Among the changes will be the introduction of a financial literacy credit. This is going to be at the Grade 10 level and is intended to help students understand personal finance and the economy.  

The number of English language arts credits will be changed, going from five to three. Students will need to have a Grade 10, Grade 11 and Grade 12 credit in ELA in order to graduate. The number of required social science credits will also change, going from three to two.  

What will not be changing, though, is the number of credits needed for students to graduate. The credit requirement will remain at 24. The Ministry of Education said this will allow students more choice and flexibility in selecting their courses, allowing for more elective credits.