Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The decision to extend grades is a matter that is determined by the community through the community education council and with discussions with divisional boards. The programming is determined by the communities with the divisional boards. That is the basis of those decisions. Generally speaking, most of the programs that have been offered in our high schools, including matriculation programs, have all been offered in our community programs if those subjects have been requested. An example would be Pond Inlet which presently offers 21 different subjects in their high school programming. That is the basis on which you can make the assessment. It is a matter of the community making that decision.

Madam Speaker

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Deh Cho, Mr. Gargan.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question will be directed to the Minister of Education and it is regarding the concerns with the community schooling concept and the quality of education. Parents and students want reassurance that the education received in grade 12 in Fort Simpson is equivalent to the education you can get in grade 12 in Yellowknife or Fort Smith. Are the educational levels consistent across the Northwest Territories?

Madam Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs, Mr. Nerysoo.

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes. If it is a high school program, it is based on the Alberta curriculum and there is a core program that is offered. It is a matter of the choice of the students if they follow within that program. That is what we offer at the moment. We don't deviate from that curriculum and it is a matter of choice of the subjects taken that is made by the student.

Madam Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

So the Minister is suggesting that the Alberta departmental grades of students in grade 12 courses are the same in the smaller communities. Am I correct?

Madam Speaker

Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Programs, Mr. Nerysoo.

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Whenever students finish matriculation programs or subjects for which they have to write departmental exams, all of the students have to write those same exams. So their assessments are based on the same assessments that Alberta students are considered under.

Madam Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for that. Besides the assessments, do we take the same kinds of tests that the Alberta students take?

Madam Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes. It is the same departmental exam that is offered in Alberta that is offered here in the Northwest Territories.

Madam Speaker

Thank you. The honourable Member for Natilikmiot, Mr. Ningark.