Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know that it is not always the case that Members read returns, but I think it is important, Mr. Speaker, for the information of Members. This is a return to a written question that was asked by Mr. Patterson on February 17, 1995 regarding notice of the development of high school programs and the reduction of services.
About two years ago, in March 1993, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment held a workshop on student accommodation programs in Fort Simpson for representatives of all school boards. The workshop was scheduled at that time because of the increasing need for small student residences resulting from the extension of senior secondary grades in communities. The workshop addressed the design of small residences, the hiring and training of suitable house parents and examples of effective student support.
Over a year and a half ago, I began to inform school boards of the need to plan for the implementation of the senior secondary schooling policy approved by Cabinet in July 1993. The policy states that senior secondary programs will be offered in every board and divisional board jurisdiction in a student's home community, or as close to home as possible. Specifically, on July 12, 1993, I wrote to the Baffin Divisional Board of Education to confirm an additional teaching position for the extension in Cape Dorset and to request that the board begin developing its plan to phase out the use of the Ukiivik residence in Iqaluit.
In September 1993, the department wrote to all school boards to offer assistance in the development and implementation of new strategies for student accommodation. Other letters were also written on related issues, such as the review of future student enrolments, board plans for evaluation of student accommodation, and options for future directions in this area. As well, letters were written directly to the director of the Baffin Divisional Board of Education on these issues.
Later, on February 25, 1994, in response to oral questions in the Legislative Assembly on the quality of education in community schools and cost-estimates on education programs, I stated that we were considering the possible closure of Ukiivik and Grollier Hall because of the decline of students in those particular residences as a result of the extension of senior secondary grades in communities.
Then, in November 1994, I tabled "A Strategy to 2010," which states that we need to make investments that give long-term cost-benefits and one of the approaches noted was to close large residences over a period of years, beginning immediately.
I am sending the Member for Iqaluit a copy of all the letters identified here, providing notice and advice to school boards on the development of senior secondary schooling and, as a result, on alternatives to accommodating students in large residences. I am also pleased to inform the Legislative Assembly, as I noted in an earlier statement, that the review reports on the large residences are complete, and that the department is planning another workshop on student accommodation strategies for board representatives this spring. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have another response.