Madam Speaker

Thank you. Item 3, Members' statements. Item 4, returns to oral questions. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Kitikmeot, Mr. Ng.

Madam Speaker

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

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The process is ongoing in terms of the evaluation. We look at the success of the programs offered and the success of the graduates of those programs. We also look at the success of the students who come from those programs and are successful in the application to post-secondary institutions.

Madam Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ng.

Kelvin Ng Kitikmeot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister if he feels that the program currently is successful then. Thank you.

Madam Speaker

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

Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In comparison to what we have historically seen in terms of graduates and participation in post-secondary institutions, yes. In terms of whether we have been totally successful in returning students back to the high school programs, yes. In terms of whether we are getting total results from the community educational programming and the variety of subjects, yes. But we are still in a situation where, as a department, we are not totally happy and satisfied with some of the programs. I think that the math exam from last year is an indication that there are some deficiencies regarding our students, particularly in the whole matter of literacy and our ability to consider the matter of problem-solving generally. That is our biggest concern at the moment.

Madam Speaker

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for High Arctic, Mr. Pudluk.

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.

Madam Speaker

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

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.

Madam 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.