Thanks to the Minister for that. I’m really glad to hear that it’s on the radar, that this is an issue that is being addressed to a certain extent. I guess I would like to encourage the department to be more demanding in what they ask the education authorities to do.
As I mentioned when we talked about the Auditor General’s report some months ago, I think there is a need for the department to be a bit more autocratic and demanding in the things that… The department as a central body should demand certain things of the board and this is one of them where I don’t think the board should have any choice. They should make sure that they have this service for the kids.
I wanted to ask my last question with regard to inclusive schooling. This is an area where the program review office has done some investigation; they’ve done some analysis of inclusive schooling. It’s also an issue that has come from a number of boards. Particularly YK1 in Yellowknife has lobbied Yellowknife Members over the last while. There needs to be, I think, and I would look to the department for confirmation, but I believe there needs to be an analysis and evaluation of how we fund school boards for inclusive schooling and for particular individuals. I think – and we’ve had some conversations I think with the Minister – this kind of giving boards money as a percentage of their student population is not being fair to the schools and the teachers and the students who have a very large need, I guess for lack of a better way of
putting it. I think there needs to be a total evaluation of how we fund our schools for inclusive schooling and for special needs students. I guess I would like to ask the Minister whether or not that is something that the department is considering.