Thank you, Mr. Chairman and committee Members, I would like to introduce the 1994-95 O and M estimates for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.
Governments across Canada are currently undergoing many organizational and program changes to meet the challenges of today's economy. My department, through consolidation, has found a number of ways to improve efficiency and service to the public. The department continues to work to provide increased leadership in the areas of education, culture and employment.
One of the department's major initiatives in this area is the development of a strategic plan, which will guide our programs and services for the next ten to 15 years. During the fall session of the Legislative Assembly, I tabled a copy of the discussion paper which resulted from the first round of public consultation. As requested, I will make a presentation on the strategic plan in the committee of the whole, which will be followed by a debate on directions for education.
The development of a new Education Act which reflects the current need of students, parents and other partners in education, is an important initiative in providing leadership. The department conducted an initial round of consultation on the act in 1990 and more than 50 submissions were received. Four main directions emerged from these responses. They are:
-that the needs and strengths of our students must be our priority;
-that a strong foundation for education can only be built together with families and communities;
-that the direction to empower people to be responsible for and to direct the delivery of education in schools and communities must continue; and,
-that education programs must be based on the languages and cultures of the north.
The department has developed a second public consultation document based on these directions, which is currently in the printing process and will soon be distributed. After further consultation, a new act will be prepared for tabling and discussion in the Legislative Assembly this fall and introduced for debate in the spring of 1995.
Improving the education system so that it is more relevant for students, communities, employers and other partners in education is a key area in which the department is showing leadership. I believe aboriginal educators have had a significant impact on the number of students choosing to stay in school and return to school across the Northwest Territories. They provide a direct link to culture and language and are important role models for students, showing them what they can accomplish and what kinds of job opportunities are available to them if they stay in school.
In order to increase the number of aboriginal educators in the NWT, the department has set a goal of 50 per cent aboriginal educators in the Northwest Territories by the year 2000, has developed a plan to get there and is aggressively pursuing it. In order to make progress towards our goal, we must take bold steps. These steps are showing results. For instance, in the Baffin Divisional Board, 49 per cent of all staff are aboriginal.
The department has developed a community-based teacher education program which has run in the Dogrib, South Slave and Keewatin regions. Similar programs are now being operated in the Baffin, Kitikmeot, and Beaufort-Delta regions. Subject to approval of this budget, I have approved a teacher education program for Yellowknife, the NWT community with the largest aboriginal population. It will start April 1, 1994. These programs have provided improved access to teacher education for many people whose family and community commitments mean they can not attend campus-based programs.
The success of the teacher education programs has led to this model being used to provide access to nursing. We are currently completing a legislative proposal to provide for the registration of nurses in the NWT Nursing Professions Act. The access year for the registered nursing diploma program is already under way, and the first year of nursing training will begin in the fall of 1994. A total of 42 students were accepted for enrolment; 20 of these people come from communities outside of Yellowknife and 33 are aboriginal.
One of the key approaches to improving the education system and seeing more NWT students graduate from grade 12 is the extension of senior secondary grades in the communities. These extensions are being guided by the senior secondary schooling policy, which was approved by Cabinet last July. The policy is now being implemented by all boards and divisional boards of education, which have developed plans to introduce higher grades into their regions. The department has gathered information on the capital requirements for grade extensions from all of the divisional boards of education and is working to fully integrate these requirements into the capital plan for 1995 and onward.
There are a number of grade extensions planned. Last June, when the operational plan was being developed, the extensions identified were:
-Grade ten for communities of Fort Liard, Taloyoak, Aklavik, Fort McPherson, Fort Franklin and Norman Wells.
-Grade 11 for Arctic Bay, Cape Dorset, Clyde River, Hall Beach and Tuktoyaktuk; and,
-Grade 12 for Sanikiluaq, Coral Harbour, Coppermine and Cambridge Bay.
Good planning is always important to make the best possible use of resources. However, in the current era of financial restraint, planning is absolutely essential. My department is undertaking a number of planning initiatives that will examine ways of increasing our effectiveness and ensuring that resources are distributed to boards in a fair and consistent manner.
For example, the department is developing capital standards and criteria for elementary and secondary schools, gymnasiums and child day care. These standards will be circulated to our partners in program delivery for input, reviewed by the Financial Management Board and then implemented.
Another of these planning initiatives is the school financing review. As you know, a supplementary estimate was brought forward in the last session of the Legislative Assembly, dealing with termination benefits, administration costs and funding student transportation based on consistent age and distance criteria.
The department has also conducted an inclusive schooling survey. When completed, the report will give the department the information necessary to identify student needs and develop a strategy in cooperation with the departments of Health and Social Services.
To help improve our ability to monitor the success of our school programs and to plan for improvements, the department is taking part in the school achievement indicators program, coordinated by the Council of Minister of Education, Canada. Earlier, I indicated and gave the Members of this Assembly an assessment of the work that needs to be done in this area. Mr. Chairman, I believe it is fundamental that we deal with core subject areas in our school systems.
As you are aware, we have recently received the results of the first mathematics assessment, conducted last spring. As I indicated, 13 year old and 16 year old students were tested on their understanding of mathematical content and on their problem-solving skills. The percentage of NWT students achieving at the highest levels was similar to the national results while a smaller proportion achieved at the middle levels. However, more NWT students achieved at or below the lowest level than their counterparts across Canada. As I indicated, my department is developing a strategy to improve the performance of NWT students. The first reading and writing assessment of the school achievement indicators program will be carried out this coming spring, while the first science assessment is planned for 1995.
Another area in which the department is working to provide leadership is the child day care program. The child day care program was transferred to my department on April 1, 1993. While continuing to operate and administer the existing program, staff have been conducting a program review which will give a detailed account of the patterns of program funding since 1989 and will help to confirm or identify problem areas in funding.
In late September, the department held the first ever symposium. I must say to Members in this House that the original symposium was scheduled for July. As a result of consultations with the child day care operators, their advice was that we should defer the symposium from July to September.
It is planned to make the casual day care program officer position in Iqaluit, serving the Baffin and Keewatin regions, an indeterminate position. This position assists subsidy clients in
processing applications and potential day care centre operators in establishing their programs.
Some of the recommendations from the symposium are long-term in nature and will be considered in the development of the department's strategic plan. These kinds of long-term recommendations include such issues as early childhood program development and the construction of child care facilities. Other recommendations will be considered in the development of a permanent early childhood care development program policy in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Chairman, I know that some Members of the Legislative Assembly have been disappointed by the length of time it has taken to develop this new program policy, and while I would have liked all the changes done by now, I am satisfied with the review and the consultation that has taken place and the plans to complete the development of this new program. Based upon our consultation and research, the new policy will introduce a number of elements that are not part of the current one, such as early intervention programs to identify children at risk, pre-school programs and parenting workshops. As a result, it is taking time to complete the research and develop this program area.
Mr. Chairman, there are many adults in the Northwest Territories who need opportunities for further education and training in order to find jobs and to pursue satisfying careers. Despite the fact that the federal government is reducing its expenditures on skills training, it remains a priority for this government. To offset the federal government's reduction and to improve access to the job market for social assistance recipients, my department is working with the Department of Social Services to develop the investing in people initiative. This initiative, which has been endorsed by Cabinet, will offer support to people receiving social assistance who are employable. We are currently working to resolve the question of how to fund this initiative in a time of restraint and are negotiating with our federal partners to cost-share this particular initiative.
This initiative responds to one of the recommendations of the Special Committee on Health and Social Services. As well, our government continues to work on the broader issue of social security reform. My department and the Department of Social Services have cooperated extensively to develop an agenda for reform, and we plan to release a joint discussion paper on the issue in late March or early April of this year.
Another major initiative is the division of Arctic College, the amalgamation of Arctic College with the Science Institute and the development of a funding allocation system for Arctic College. The funding allocation system will deal with the proposed accountability framework which details reporting required by legislation, college operations and department support of activities. The framework also includes a system of indicators to measure the effectiveness of each college program.
The amalgamation of Arctic College and the Science Institute would establish one institution within Nunavut and one within the western territory, and would be completed by July of 1994. I am proposing that the legislation providing for decentralization be on the legislative agenda for this Assembly.
While I realize, Mr. Chairman, that these remarks are long, it indicates to you that we have done, as a department, a lot of work, and even though we still have a lot of work, it shows that we have been proactive and constructive in trying to respond to the needs and wishes of Members of the Assembly and to the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.