Agreed.

---Agreed

Clause 41.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Clause 42.

---Agreed

Clause 43.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Clause 44.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Mrs. Marie-Jewell, clause 44.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On clause 44, I did want to indicate to the Minister that there were some concerns expressed about our TEP program. They indicated that they would like to see teachers have a bachelor of education degree. Currently, teachers holds teaching certificates issued under the regulations that have gone through TEP. I have indicated some concerns with respect to that. In the event that you require a bachelor's degree, you would have to uproot your family to go and get the degree, as opposed to a certificate.

I am also advised that TEP is expanding their program in order to give another year towards their degree. Can the Minister clarify the process for a TEP student in acquiring a TEP certificate issued under the regulations currently, as opposed to the necessity of a bachelor of education degree. I am sure the Minister would like to see every TEP student have a degree? Unfortunately, it is difficult for some students to acquire that, yet they are excellent teachers in the school system. If I could hear the Minister's viewpoints, I would appreciate it. Thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Clause 44, Mr. Nerysoo.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I can advise the honourable Member that the basis on which the certification occurs is, after two years of education, as the honourable Member has pointed out, we now provide an interim certificate. That interim certificate allows a student to teach from kindergarten to grade 9. A bachelor's degree is required for the teaching of grades 10 to 12.

Thank you, Mr. Nerysoo. Clause 44. Mrs. Marie-Jewell, have you completed your comments on clause 44? Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to propose an amendment under 44.(3)(b).

I move that clause 44.(3)(b)(i) read, "For greater certainty, a person who is not certified to teach or to act as a classroom assistant may be employed to teach or to assist in the teaching of an official language other than English or French if that person has special skills, knowledge or abilities in that official language." Thank you.

This is a motion to amend clause 44.(3), so we have to have a translated copy of this motion. Do you have it, Mrs. Marie-Jewell? This has to be translated, so I'm afraid we'll have to take a break while this is being done. Members may want to stretch their legs for a few minutes. We'll take a short break.

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Before we took the time-out, there was a motion on the floor, and I would like the mover of the motion to read the motion into the record. It has been written and translated. Member for Thebacha.

If I may, Mr. Chairman, I move that clause 44 of Bill 25 be amended by adding the following after proposed subsection (3):

"(3.1) For greater certainty, a person who is not certified to teach or to act as a classroom assistant may be employed to teach or to assist in the teaching of an Official Language, other than English or French, if that person has special skills, knowledge or abilities in that Official Language."

Thank you. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Minister.

Thank you.

I guess you have to read the whole motion, Member for Thebacha.

Thank you. If I may continue:

"(3.2) For greater certainty, a person who is not certified to teach or to act as a classroom assistant may be employed to teach or to assist in the teaching of cultural subjects, including but not limited to land skills, art, crafts, local customs, local spirituality or other subjects of local cultural significance, if that person has special skills, knowledge or abilities in the cultural subject in question." Thank you.

Thank you. I guess I got overly enthusiastic. The motion is in order. To the motion. Mr. Minister. Member for Thebacha, to the motion.

Mr. Chairman, thank you. This motion would allow people in the community who have special language skills and knowledge to be employed and to pass those skills along, despite the fact that they may not have any formal teaching education or credentials.

Elders have significant knowledge, which is otherwise unavailable to the school. However, this is not to be designated only for elders. I recognize that there is a section in the clause that allows elders to teach. However, in my riding, for example, the Chipewyan language is a dying language. In the event that you do not have anyone with a formal teaching degree but someone who has enough knowledge of the Chipewyan language to be able to teach a class, this would allow them to fit within this category in this clause, without having to be an elder. Thank you.

Thank you. To the motion. The honourable Minister of Education.