Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to a written question, asked by Mr. Antoine on February 18, 1992, regarding the supervision procedures at Akaitcho Hall. There are different types of leave for students who live at Akaitcho Hall, including leave for employment, weekend leave, town leave, and a number of special leaves. Akaitcho Hall administration and supervisors follow specific procedures in response to student requests for leave. Students who apply to baby-sit, or who have other outside employment, are permitted leave for these purposes on weekends or holidays. Students may also apply for weekend leave to visit with friends or relatives. In each of these cases, the student must apply and receive parental consent.
As well, the residence permits leave for special purposes. This may include supper leave for students who have birthdays, or when parents are in town. Students who are 19 years of age, or in grade 12, and who perform extra residence duties may also be granted earned leave. Students must follow the departure and return times set by the residence for all types of leave. To ensure the safety of students on leave, residence dormitory supervisors are required to follow procedures. They normally telephone the destination when students are signed out on weekend leave, to make sure students arrive safely. In some instances, a student may be signed out by someone who does not have a telephone. In that case, the supervisor ensures that they have the address where the student will be staying. If a student returns late from leave, parents are informed about it the following day by telephone, if possible. A letter documenting a late return is also sent to parents by the dormitory supervisor.
In the case of students signed out by relatives, the most appropriate family member is informed, if possible. When a student is reported as absent without leave, the supervisor also checks with the hospital and the RCMP to ensure that they have not been in an accident, or are not in police custody.
Akaitcho Hall dormitory supervisors receive training in a number of courses before school begins, as well as throughout the school year. These courses include team building, parenting, drug and alcohol counselling, suicide prevention, crisis counselling and first aid. Their work is evaluated through the appraisal process used for GNWT employees. Thank you.