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

Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Education. The Standing Committee on Finance has made excellence in education a primary focus. It will take vision and political courage to move towards that goal. Is the Minister prepared to meet with communities, school boards, administrators and teachers to provide that courage and vision and challenge the system to provide nothing less than the best education system in the country here in 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. I think the honourable Member pointed out yesterday, from the statement that I made regarding the matter of student achievement, that we do take the matter of excellence of educational programming seriously. We also take seriously the advice that has been given by the standing committee. From the most recent meeting with the Nunavut divisional board chairs, they see the whole matter of education as being primary and important. All of the programming we offer needs to be, not necessarily of quantity, but rather quality, quality, quality.

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The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Ballantyne.

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Michael Ballantyne Yellowknife North

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the Minister for that response. The Minister will recognize there is a lot of frustration now in communities about the standard of education. There will be a tendency for people to blame the department, teachers or principals. The standing committee's observation is that approach is counterproductive. We have to all pull together, recognize that we have a problem and move towards a solution. Does the Minister agree that that type of proactive approach, without looking for scapegoats, is the most productive way to achieve these goals?

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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, I believe that is the only approach that can allow for us to be successful. The point that the honourable Member makes of pointing no fingers, but rather to be proactive, rather than reactive, and to plan and provide for the leadership that is necessary for the changes to occur, I agree and concur with.

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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. Again, to the Minister of Education. Three years ago, when the government started talking about what to do with Akaitcho Hall, there was a suggestion that the facility be privatized. This would seem to be a good opportunity. There might be aboriginal organizations or other northern companies that would be interested in taking over Akaitcho Hall to give the parents and students the opportunity to have their children go to school in Yellowknife. Did the Cabinet consider this option when it gave its approval in principle to close Akaitcho Hall?

The Speaker

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

Return To Question 215-12(5): Privatization Considered For Akaitcho Hall Rather Than Closure
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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Thank you, Madam Speaker. That matter was not a factor in our decision to close. That is not to suggest that in our discussions and proposals that may come in...I had discussions with some of the women who have been involved in the possible setting up of boarding homes. That, in my view, is a part of the discussions that need to go on now. In other words, they have to come forward with their ideas. However, I do say to the honourable Members that the cost savings we have made with the closing of Akaitcho Hall can be utilized in educational programming, direct to students and directly improving program delivery of our system.

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The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

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Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

So, even though the government is promoting private sector development, is the Minister saying he has rejected this option?

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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. We haven't rejected any option. What we have said is that under the present system, we can not operate Akaitcho Hall at the costs we are now incurring, particularly in light of the reduction of the total number of students who will be attending high school programming in Yellowknife from our communities. That is the basis of the decision.

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The Speaker

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

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Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Since the government did reject it, would the Minister be prepared to consider, if an organization was able to operate it, Akaitcho Hall for a student residence?

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The Speaker

Thank you. Minister of Education, Mr. Nerysoo.

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Richard Nerysoo Mackenzie Delta

Madam Speaker, if they were able to run the building on the basis of the annual rates we pay for home boarding, I don't think anybody would reject it. But, I think that would be very, very difficult. None of the options have been rejected at this particular junction. Proposals have not come in. Discussions have happened but we have not had specific and detailed proposals that any of our departments or that our review committee has been able to consider.

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The Speaker

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

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Samuel Gargan Deh Cho

Since the direction with Akaitcho Hall is not really clear, is the government moving in the direction of creating regional community residences?

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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. In those communities where we can justify the need for regional residences, yes we will consider it. But, it's all part of the

capital planning process and we will address the needs based on the requests and the priority given by the community.

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The Speaker

Thank you. Item 5, oral questions. The honourable Member for Natilikmiot, Mr. Ningark.

John Ningark Natilikmiot

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, education is a priority of this government, as I see it. I know the closure of Akaitcho Hall which will take place on June 30, 1994 is very painful, especially for people like myself whose kids have gone through that education system. They have taken their training at Sir John and at St. Patrick's. I think cost is of little significance, given the fact that quality education has been attained through Yellowknife. The Minister is a fine example of someone who has gone through the system here.

My question to the Minister follows the same line as Mr. Gargan, the Member for Deh Cho. I'm wondering if any effort has been made to approach divisional boards. Perhaps there could be a joint operation between the system and the divisional boards within this jurisdiction. I think every region has the opportunity to have their kids going to school here in Yellowknife. I mentioned earlier that education at Sir John and at St. Patrick's is one of the finest in the system. I'm wondering if the Minister has considered approaching divisional boards for joint operation. Thank you.