Agreed.

---Agreed

Agreed.

---Agreed

I would like clarification on clause 76, as it refers back to 75. I'm just trying to clarify what the roles of the superintendents and the principals are, versus the role of the Minister. Clause 76 says "in accordance with directions of the Minister" but in 75, the superintendent and principals receive their direction in accordance with the education body. So I want to clarify those clauses.

Thank you. All these issues are policy directions. Let me give you one example: where qualified persons are available, we could recommend the use

of the affirmative action policy and directive on that issue. The other thing is that the superintendent ensures that the education body operates in accordance with the directions of the Minister, or the policies. That's the basis on which this should be interpreted.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This one deals with cultural variation. In this clause, it says that '"The superintendent and principals ... in accordance with the direction of an education body, plan the delivery of culture based school programs as part of the education program for the education district." I'm thinking that if you're in a Dene community and the superintendent is non-Dene, the principal is non-Dene and the majority of people on the education body are non-Dene, how do they plan for the delivery of a culture-based school program? Is there a possibility that the local bands or the Metis locals, people who are indigenous to the area can get involved in the planning of such a culture-based school program? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. I've seen a lot of changes over the last 16 years, and I think there are such significant changes that we can now at least be certain that these bodies of authority are going to be more responsive to the community.

The other thing is that, unfortunately, you have to keep associating this to other sections. You have to associate it to 117 where it says, an education body shall, (k), "With the advice of education staff, parents and community elders, develop and deliver culture based school programs in accordance with the requirements of the curriculum." The curriculum, as we're developing it now --and Dene Kede is the basis in the west for the delivery of culture-based education --will form the basis by which this particular matter is addressed.

I guess I view it in that context, that this cultural variation has to be respected; the programs have to be planned; then there's a requirement later on that this has to be done in conjunction with the community, with the elders and with the leadership. So you have to read it all in context, otherwise you will just read one section and not consider the direction in another that this must be implemented.

Agreed.

---Agreed

Agreed.

---Agreed

Question.

Question.

Again clarification on clause 78 and the hierarchy of powers here. The superintendent is employed by the education division or education authority and, as such, would receive most of his direction from the education authority. But many clauses in this section also state --again, in these clauses, we have those phrases --"the directions of the Minister"? and "in accordance with the regulations." I just want to get it clear in my mind the hierarchy of powers, the superintendent reports and is paid by the education division. That's who his or her boss is. Directions from the Minister in this section, as the Minister has clearly indicated, are purely policy direction and financial when it comes to giving contributions and monies to the divisional boards. Is that the way this section fits?