Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In honour of Education Week, I too would like to recognize the extra efforts that have taken place in our schools, such as the initiative that is going on in the Echo-Dene School to improve school attendance. In an effort to get the kids of Fort Liard to classes on a regular basis, the school has decided to reward students for good attendance. Students who manage 90 percent attendance or better are invited to a tasty lunch and a movie. Mr. Speaker, I was even more impressed when I learned that the families of the students with good attendance also receive recognition and rewards. Last Christmas, they were presented with a turkey or ham and, this spring, a small feast will be held in their honour.

Mr. Speaker, it takes a community to raise a child. Families play a crucial role in ensuring that a child is at school and ready to learn. Community-based approaches to education are an essential component in building a healthy community. Initiatives like the ones at Echo-Dene School in Fort Liard do a lot towards putting these ideals into practice, but we still have a long way to go. According to a report put out by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, 32 percent of parents in smaller communities are still under-involved in their children's education. Providing incentives for kids to attend school on a regular basis is a great move in the right direction. Congratulations to the staff, students and families of the Echo-Dene School in Fort Liard. Keep up the good work. Mahsi cho.

---Applause