Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, inclusive schooling was introduced in the Northwest Territories to ensure the constitutional right of all students, regardless of any physical or developmental handicaps, to receive a quality educational experience with their peers. This has meant students with learning, developmental and physical impairments are no longer separated from the general school population and attend the same schools and classes as other able-bodied students the same age.

Mr. Speaker, inclusive schooling has changed the way teachers make lesson plans. There is no longer just one lesson plan for the entire class. Depending on the number of special needs children in their class, there can be several different lesson plans for the same class. Between making all of these lesson plans, supervising the work of the special needs assistants and teaching the regular lesson, the workload of the average teacher has increased dramatically since the introduction of inclusive schooling, and I commend teachers for their dedication.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, special needs assistants are expected to deal with the medical issues and needs of students with severe handicaps, something for which most special needs assistants have received very little formalized training. In fact, Mr. Speaker, one can argue that in some cases, the special needs assistants are actually personal caregivers.

So where does that leave us? We have a system that does not, apparently, separate the inclusive schooling needs of those students with medical issues from those students with learning or developmental issues. We have special needs assistants who are expected to deal with medical issues that they are not trained to deal with. In some cases, dealing with the medical and physical needs of the child preclude the special needs assistant from actually helping the student with their education.

Mr. Speaker, if we want inclusive schooling to work, the district education authorities must have adequate funding to meet the needs of the students. Funding must be provided so those students who require extensive help to function receive one-on-one support. The DEAs must have the funding to ensure they can either hire special needs assistants with medical training or pay for their training.

For example, has the department considered offering a program through Aurora College to train special needs assistants? I realize the department has increased the funding to the district education authorities for special needs schooling and, as a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, the budget for 2002-2003 that is presently before this Assembly will increase the amount of funding for special needs schooling to the DEAs one year in advance of the legislative requirement. However, I am not convinced that as a government, we are doing enough to support the DEAs in delivering inclusive schooling in our communities.

I will be following up with the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment during question period. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause