Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

AND WHEREAS most jurisdictions have been revising their curricula to place more emphasis on the core subject areas of reading, writing, mathematics and science; to return to more objective criteria and expectations; and to return to more traditional teaching methods;

AND WHEREAS about 45 percent of new jobs created in this decade will require a minimum of 16 years of education;

AND WHEREAS the Northwest Territories high school graduation rate is 25 percent of enrolment, while the national average is 68 percent;

NOW THEREFORE, I move seconded by the Honourable Member for Iqaluit, that the Legislative Assembly strongly recommends the Executive Council increase base funding to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment in the current 1998-99 fiscal year by the minimum of the 6 percent reduction that occurred over the past two years.

This is a motion passed in this House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.