Mr. Speaker, I have often talked about the Education Renewal Initiative in this House and have updated Members a number of times as to its progress. In our discussions last year, Members said that unless children actually go to school it does not matter what programs and supports are provided. Members encouraged us to create a school attendance advertising campaign and, Mr. Speaker, we have acted upon that advice.
Mr. Speaker, our school attendance rates are not where we want them to be. Students must strive for 100 percent in order to give themselves the best chance to learn. A student who has 80 percent attendance is missing two full years of school by the time they reach Grade 10. In 2014 the average attendance in our small communities was 77 percent compared to 82 percent in the regions and 90 percent in Yellowknife. Seventy-one percent of Northwest Territories Grade 10 students had less than 80 percent attendance. We must work to improve these statistics.
Ensuring students go to school is everyone’s responsibility. Many people can affect a student’s attendance. It is the role of the school to provide thought-providing classes and a safe and warm environment. Parents and caregivers can help their children get out of bed on time and provide a healthy breakfast and a quiet place to do homework. Leaders can speak to the importance of education and can motivate and incent students by showing them how a good education can improve their lives, and government can provide information
and resources to help students become the best they can be and provide leadership to district education councils and authorities and support parents.
Following on the advice of Members, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment is undertaking a student attendance campaign that takes our message directly to youth in ways they understand. We are using innovative and modern graphics and “teen-speak.” We have created an infographic which not only poses questions about attendance but offers youth places to go if they need help.
We will be providing these resources to Members for their constituency offices and will be displaying information about attendance, helpline contacts and quick facts in every community in the Northwest Territories. Our goal is to ensure youth make good decisions for themselves and their futures and to make sure they know where to seek help if they need it.
Mr. Speaker, this campaign was, in part, created by youth. They advised us on the look and feel of the campaign, the right wording to use to reach their peers and where to place our messages. I firmly believe that because of their participation in this campaign, we will reach out in the most effective manner to a wider youth audience and will be more successful because of it.
But, Mr. Speaker, this is not all we are doing to increase attendance in schools. Through the Education Renewal Initiative there are several projects underway to improve schools as learning environments. One of the reasons some students do not attend regularly is because they are being bullied. We are addressing this through our Safe and Caring Schools legislation, regulations, School Codes of Conduct and Safe Schools plans.
Another reason some students attend irregularly is because they are hungry. This issue is being addressed, in part, through the Healthy Food in Schools Initiative which is underway this year. Some students do not attend school because the courses they are interested in are not offered. We are addressing this issue through the expanded commitment to distance learning that ERI is supporting this year.
Mr. Speaker, we share a vision of a strong and prosperous NWT. Our youth need to be healthy and educated if they are going to participate in and fully enjoy the benefits of a growing economy. Education renewal is helping prepare them for a successful future. We recognize that attendance is of paramount importance as we move forward with the Education Renewal Initiative and we are working hard in this area on many fronts. These are some of the ways that our renewal of education is tackling the issue of student attendance in the NWT.
I want to thank Members for their advice and guidance on this issue and for their continued support as we work with youth to help them achieve their dreams. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.