Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The social programs committee has consistently said that PTR is fine. It was important for us to put money there, but student support is also critical and very important. I don't want to be alarmist, Mr. Speaker, but clearly this downward trend is something that we have to address now before it gets critical.

Mr. Speaker, in the United States many of us will be familiar with the No Child Left Behind Act that President Bush signed on January the 8th of 2002. The guiding principles are such things as accountability of results, focusing on what works, reducing bureaucracy, increasing flexibility, empowering parents and guardians.

This is the point that I think is very important, Mr. Speaker. I think that we've had a lot of discussion about the have and have-not communities and the growing gap. We recognize it's there. If we're going to talk about improving quality of life and economic opportunities across the entire territory and, indeed, in the smallest communities it will be and will start with the improvement in our education system. When I say education system I don't just mean teachers and principals and the department. I mean our community leaders, mayors, chiefs, councillors, teachers, elders, parents and students. There's enough of this, Mr. Speaker, for us to all take on our shoulders and try to carry it forward. Indeed, I believe we have to do that in the next Assembly.

One more point, Mr. Speaker. I think it's important that we make examples of young, successful role models like Amy Mersch. My colleague who represents Fort Resolution mentioned that the department was in Fort Resolution to have a ceremony for her and her graduation. I think it's critical that we hold people like Amy up as examples of what can go right when we work together. My congratulations to her. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause