I would just like to make a few comments on this section, parents' participation. It pertains to both clauses 25 and 26. There have already been many changes to these sections dealing with parents' participation, and I would like to make a few more comments on this issue.

I believe that today many parents have abrogated their responsibilities for their children; that is, it seems that many parents just don't care. They don't care about what happens to their children once their children leave home. I believe they feel that school is like a babysitting establishment and once a child is there it is up to the teachers and the principals to look after that child.

This shouldn't be the case. I believe parents have to care and they have to get involved in the education of their children. Many years ago, there used to be home and school associations which were quite active in the running and the activities in the schools, and these have eventually changed to community education councils, now to be known as district education authorities. Today, there are very rarely elections held for education councils. Most members are acclaimed or they get appointed to fill the vacancies. In this act, a lot of authority and responsibility will be given to the education authorities.

Therefore, it is in the interests of parents to get involved in the governance of our education system. Parents can no longer sit back and complain. To make changes or guide the process of education, you must get involved.

I would also like to comment about the responsibilities of parents to get involved in school activities by volunteering. This is not in the act, but I believe it should be mentioned. I know that many times school activities have been cancelled because they don't have enough supervisors or chaperones. Mr. Chairman, parents have to get more involved in their children's activities, many of which happen through the school. By volunteering for school activities, chaperoning dances, trips, sporting events, outings and the various clubs in the schools, they get to appreciate the qualities of their children, of the teachers and of the whole education system. Another area which should be mentioned was raised by the Yellowknife Education District No. 1 in their presentation to the committee; that is, we have rights as parents to participate, and sections 25 and 26 outline those, but we don't have any clauses that outline the consequences if they do not respond to what's in the act. I'll quote from Yellowknife Education District No. 1, " Educators must have the right and opportunity to appeal parental actions if they feel that they are not in the best educational interests of the child. The rights and responsibilities must be equal and reciprocal."

So, Mr. Chairman, these are some of the comments I wish to make respecting the roles and responsibilities of parents. Mahsi.