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

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the honourable Member for the question. The loans range from $5,000 to $12,500 per year and the amount is based on the individual's years of experience in the education field. The loans are remissible upon completion of the program and continued residence in the Northwest Territories, and if the student completes less than 60 per cent of the program or, upon completion, does not reside in the Northwest Territories, their loan is completely, fully repayable.

Thank you. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, could I ask the Minister if he is aware of how many students in the Northwest Territories are granted the opportunity of post-secondary incentive loans?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To date, the incentive loan program, is provided to residents in the teacher education program and, in some cases, the school community council programs. The loans have been provided to almost 180 students currently enrolled in the Northwest Territories campus and community-based programs.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. Recognizing the Minister did indicate that he would be sending one of his officials to meet with the students enrolled in post-secondary education with regard to the teacher education program at the University of Saskatchewan, and recognizing that there are only eight students who are registered in this particular course and we are currently allowing for an additional 180 students to be considered for such a program, would the Minister reconsider, within their policy, a decision to extend this benefit to students who are attending the University of Saskatchewan? Thank you.

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recognizing that the teacher education program in the north only allows for a certificate once students have completed that program and recognizing that the University of Saskatchewan Indian teacher education program allows for a degree, I would like to ask the Minister -- if they are reviewing the program, and taking into account the government's intent to get as many aboriginal teachers in the north as they can by the year 2000 -- if he would reconsider looking at this program and allow this inequity to be eliminated for the aboriginal residents attending the University of Saskatchewan?

Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Removing the program itself removes the inequity. The review of the student financial assistance program may identify areas where we can be more helpful and supportive in providing post-secondary financing without it being identified as unfair or unequal. In that context, we are reviewing the manner in which we are providing student financial assistance to students.

The other thing the honourable Member has raised which has not been considered -- and I mentioned it earlier -- is dealing with the issue on a student-by-student basis. I don't personally know the files of the individuals. The staff may be able to identify those areas where present programs can be applied to students. There are some situations where students are not taking advantage of existing programs or are not aware of existing programs. I can advise that, in some cases, students were not aware that they had an opportunity to access our child care program, for instance. They were not knowledgeable about additional housing allowances where economic circumstances require more funding.

Unless we deal with them individually, it makes it very difficult for me to say that we are unable to respond to the concerns. But I do want to say to the honourable Member that it is our intention to address some of the concerns. If we can't then, obviously, we'll have to advise the students that we're unable to at this particular juncture. But I will have a staff member meet with those particular students.

Item 7, oral questions. Mr. Ningark.