Originally known as Gathering Strength, the name of the New Paths for Education program changed in 2003. The objectives of the program remained the same as they were with Gathering Strength, which are: improvement of classroom instruction efficiency and improvement of parental participation in the school. The communities benefit from this program to improve the quality of teaching in First Nations schools, to improve the coordination and support for education programs and services, to maintain Native languages and finally to encourage parents to get involved in the education system.