This is page numbers 367 - 397 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 5th Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was education.

Topics

Ludy Pudluk High Arctic

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister of DPW. Yesterday, I made a Member's statement with regard to DPW and hamlet offices and their working relationships. Departments seem to be wasting public money when they are doing their work on behalf of hamlets and other agencies. Would the Minister of DPW remind his department to keep in mind the reality of today's government and municipal fiscal situation and be more conservative and not so liberal? Thank you.

The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Morin.

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Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I don't know if there is much difference between Conservatives and Liberals. They both seem to treat us the same from Ottawa. But seriously, I would like to thank the Member for bringing that issue to my attention. I have talked to the department already and raised your community concern to the department. Fixing the pipeline in Resolute Bay was supposed to have been taken care of from extraordinary costs that MACA and DPW would have to work out with the community. So it doesn't come through their regular O and M budget. My understanding is when a water line freezes, if you don't fix it immediately, it continues to freeze and will end up costing you more money. I will work with my department to make sure that they use the best method of transportation of materials as well as people

into the communities and that no unnecessary charters will take place. I will get back to the Member on that issue.

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The Speaker

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Aivilik, Mr. Arvaluk.

James Arvaluk Aivilik

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Since the department began to move towards community schooling, there have been concerns from parents and students about the impact this would have on the choices available for students. There was a concern that the students would not have access to a range of courses available. At the larger regional centres, for example, Yellowknife, students can choose between different levels of the same subject such as English 10 or English 13. Can the Minister explain how schools, particularly in small communities, decide which courses will be available to their high school students? Thank you.

The Speaker

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

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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.

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The 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?

The Speaker

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

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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.

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The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

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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?

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The Speaker

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

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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.

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The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

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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?

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The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

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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.

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The Speaker

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

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Madam Speaker, the quality of education is very important in my community and in the region as well. Also, the choice of education for students is another important factor, not only for the student but also for

the parents. I'm in a position to go against a decision of the divisional board in my region. The honourable Minister of the Department of Education, Culture and Employment said a student can apply to come to Yellowknife but only if the course he wants to take is not available in local or regional schools. Why is there a restriction in place? Thank you.

The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The basis on which the restriction is made is to support the development of our community education system. It is our attempt, Madam Speaker, to ensure that the same quality of programs is offered in our communities. We want to ensure we're responsive to the needs of the region, the community and we implement the directions we receive from the divisional boards on this particular matter.

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The 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 is for the Minister of Education. Many young people and their families want children educated close to home. However, there are a significant number of parents and students who want the opportunity to attend high school in larger centres where the course choice is greater. The government is not allowing that choice. Instead, it requires students to attend school in the home communities if the grade is there. Is the department prepared to allow students and their parents to decide where they would like to obtain their high school education?