Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This morning Lydia Bardak, the executive director of the Northwest Territories Council for Disabled Persons, was on the radio discussing the issue she is being confronted with regarding children within our education system who have difficulties and disabilities. Ms. Bardak indicated she has had significant increase in calls from both families and educators desperately looking for help for their children. These children have a right to an education under the current Education Act.
However, Mr. Speaker, this system, which we call mainstreaming, is not working. It is not working for various reasons, the main one is the student's inability to learn within the way and environment they are being taught in. Schools cannot provide for every student's specific need who walks in their doors. The term mainstreaming or inclusive schooling sounds like a wonderful term where all students with various differences can learn together. However, schools cannot provide the learning environment for these various needs even though they are mandated to do so by the Education Act. We have children who are blind, who are deaf, who have physical disabilities, who are mentally challenged, who have fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects in epidemic proportions. We have dyslexic children and autistic children. These children are placed within the regular school alongside the rest of the school population and have a right to receive an education to their level and ability to understand like everyone else. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, this does not and cannot happen.
I also received a letter from Mrs. Bardak who asked and I quote, "Why do we not have adequately trained professionals? What is the point of inclusive education? It is nothing more than babysitting." I submit that Mrs. Bardak is very close to the truth for many students. Let us be honest. How can we possibly expect teachers to educate students within one class with these various needs without the proper training and support? I commend our teachers, but as hard as they may try they cannot succeed under these circumstances. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.