To participate in the Energy Conservation Program, Bureau of Indian Affairs Area Directors have been authorized to extend Christmas vacation in any school under their jurisdiction 14 days -- or until January 21, Morris Thompson, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, announced today.
Time lost if a school is closed until January 21 is to be made up by extending the school year, week, or day, Thompson indicated, adding that he must be informed of whatever program a school that remains closed an added 14 days elects to compensate for time lost.
At least one Indian tribe -- the Navajo -- bas told the Bureau of in Affairs that 10 percent of the year's supply of fuel in schools reservation can be saved by extending the Christmas holiday 14,” Thompson said. “On the basis of the Navajo’s wish to conserve, we decided to give the option of closing to all BIA schools.”
The Bureau of Indian Affairs operates 200 schools in 17 states on Indian reservations and in remote areas throughout the country. They report to 12 Area Directors. Of the 200 BIA schools, 77 are boarding schools with a total enrollment of almost 36,000 and 123 are day schools with a total enrollment of more than 16,000. Fifty-three of the day schools are located in Alaska.
In addition, the Bureau operates one Indian junior college, one postsecondary art institute, and one post-secondary polytechnic institute.
Total enrollment in all Indian schools operated by the Bureau represents approximately 25 percent of the almost 207,000 Indian children of school age living on or near reservations in the United States.
