Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the opportunity today to follow up on the statement made on February 16th by the

Honourable Michael Miltenberger, the lead Minister on the Board Reform Initiative.

There is a great deal of interest in this initiative and people are expressing concerns over the government’s plans for board reform. As the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, I am hearing the concerns that people have about what this means for the education system in the Northwest Territories, including the schools and the people who work in the schools. I want to assure Members that we recognize all the good work that has been done over many years to help improve the education system in the Northwest Territories. We have more and more students graduating every year from our high schools and this is even more the case in our communities and among our aboriginal students. We have many dedicated educators and administrators, as well as many committed members on various boards who are working hard to ensure we have the best education system possible for our students.

Board reform will respect all the good things that have been done in education and will build on that success. This initiative focuses on governance structures through which we will work to find systemic and long-lasting ways of increasing collaboration and cooperation to meet the needs of students in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

Above all, we want to continue making progress in the education system. In order to make progress, we must be prepared to make change where it will help us make the progress we all desire.

Mr. Speaker, we have 33 divisional education councils that govern 49 schools in the Northwest Territories. Education authorities outside Yellowknife are organized under four divisional education councils and one community services agency. The commission scolaire francophone des territories du Nord Ouest is responsible for French first language schools in Yellowknife and Hay River, while schools in Yellowknife are governed by two district education authorities. In exploring new models of governance for education, we expect that schools will continue to operate much like they do today. Principals and teachers will continue to fulfil the responsibilities of delivering education programs to students. There will continue to be a need for senior administrators with education expertise to support the schools and to provide oversight responsibilities for ensuring quality program delivery. As Minister of Education, Culture and Employment I will continue to hold responsibilities for the education system in the Northwest Territories.

Board reform will not affect the education rights of anyone in the Northwest Territories. It is hoped that this Initiative will result in more efficient and effective governance of schools in the NWT.

Mr. Speaker, as Minister Miltenberger mentioned in his statement on board reform earlier this week, the government has started its consultation process on this initiative. We are still in the early stages. Some discussions have taken place, including discussions Minister Miltenberger and I had with chairs of the education authorities in early December. I recently met with the chairs of both Yellowknife education authorities and I committed to having further discussions with them. I am prepared to have these discussions with the boards of each of the education authorities. As well, senior officials in the department have had discussions with senior officials from the education authorities. Further discussions must take place and will take place.

We welcome input from people, not only to express their concerns but also to offer suggestions on how we can continue to make improvements in our overall governance structures. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker