Thank you, Mr. Chairman. During the pre-budget consultations we heard from parents and the NWT Teachers' Federation on the need to increase funding for special needs students, and, in particular, for disabled students who require one-on-one assistance to function in a classroom.

The committee notes the department will be increasing funding for student support services to 20 percent from 15 percent of the base funding over the next three school years, starting with an increase to 17 percent in this budget at a cost of $1.764 million.

The committee is in support of this increased funding for student support services and of the strict enforcement of the ministerial directive on the usage of the funding for the purposes for which it was intended and voted on by the Assembly. Members will be looking for evidence that this funding increase will make a difference in the lives of children who need special supports to succeed.

Members were also pleased to see a mechanism for the involvement of parents in determining the required supports for their children is being developed. Members have spent too much time in the past helping parents access services for their child that should have been provided by the school as a matter of course. It is hoped that the increase to 20 percent of base funding for student support services will result in more children be supported to reach their full potential.

It was also noted that the new health and social services rehabilitation teams will be an important component of a revitalization of the student support services available in our schools. It is important that there be close linkages and cooperation between educational and health care professionals. The committee will be looking for evidence of such cooperation once the rehabilitation teams are staffed and up and running.

Pupil/Teacher Ratios

One of the significant accomplishments of the 14th Assembly was the reduction of the pupil to teacher ratio (PTR). During the pre-budget consultation we heard from parents and the NWT Teachers' Association on the need to reduce the PTR even further so that we can ensure that each student gets the individual attention and courses that they require to succeed in school.

With all of the opportunities that come with resource development, there is a clear need to expand the exposure of students, particularly at the high school level, to the trades.

Many schools in the NWT lack dedicated physical education teachers and, in the context of the Healthy Living Strategy, this needs to be addressed.

The standing committee will be looking for evidence of a focus on the trades and physical education during the next business planning cycle.

Mr. Chairman, at this time I would like to pass it on to my colleague, Mr. Jackson Lafferty from Monfwi.