Clause 21. Agreed? Mr. Dent.

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. From the comments that the honourable Member has made, just to confirm, Mr. Chairman, our view; we share the same views expressed by the honourable Member. It's certainly our intention to ensure that there are comparative standards between those programs that are offered in our existing public denominational school programs...that we can compare with the north and also compare with other Canadian circumstances.

In this particular case, there are no regulations to be written. It will be criteria identifying standards and learning objectives. That's the basis on which we're going to consider the whole matter of private schools. The comments the honourable Member has made with regard to standards of excellence, comparative programming with other jurisdictions in this country, and what is normally an acceptable program, acceptable for post-secondary institutions, is the other component. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. Clause 21. Mr. Koe.

I would like some clarification on section (3), where the Minister can cancel or suspend registration of a school and what (b) says, "in the opinion of the Minister, the students are not achieving acceptable progress." In other parts of the act, we give parents some responsibility and they can participate in working out educational plans. My question is what say does a parent have with regard to this section?

Thank you. First of all, as parents, they are enrolling their children in a private school which has agreed to certain educational programs and certain educational standards. They have made the determination that their children should be part of that program. What this particular component allows us to do is to indicate that in comparative terms, the program is not meeting what has been agreed to in terms of the educational programs and the standards.

Then we have to take the view that they're not performing the agreement that has been reached between the private school and the Minister. In that context, there has to be a decision by the Minister to address the matter of the school. That's the basis on which the parents are involved and the basis on which any decision is made to remove, suspend or cancel the registration of a private school.

Thank you. Clause 21.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you. Clause 22.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Thank you. Clause 23. Mr. Koe.

Under clause 23, the student representative may attend public meetings of the district educational authority. Can they attend public meetings of divisional education councils? Why is it only limited to the district education authority?

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The matter that is before you is a matter of the students being involved in the community schooling arrangement. That's the reason why it's not a matter of the division.

Thank you. Clause 23. Mr. Koe.

There's nothing restricting the student rep from going to the public meetings, right? I just want that clarification. They can attend public meetings of divisional education councils?

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Thank you. There's nothing in the legislation that is restrictive with regard to attendance at divisional education council meetings. What this deals with is ensuring that there is representation with the district education authority. That is what we've made a commitment to include.

Thank you. Clause 23. Mr. Koe.

The other point I would like to make, again, is qualifications, and the big qualification is that the principal shall set the guidelines. Does the guidelines set by the principal, only pertain to the selection of the student rep or is it to the participation of the student rep in the district education authority meetings? Principals don't have any authority at the DEA level. I would like clarification there.

Thank you. Mr. Minister.

Thank you. The honourable Member is correct; it just deals primarily with the matter of selection.

Mahsi. Clause 23. Mr. Koe.