Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I noticed that the divisional education board office has two fewer staff supporting the schools than in the Sahtu. In the Deh Cho proper, eight communities, we have two support staff for nine schools, whereas the Sahtu has four support staff for five schools. It is my understanding that the Sahtu board has two IT support staff, while the Deh Cho has one. This doesn't seem right. We need to address this, or we are going to see more vulnerable children in ongoing decline in the EDI and MDI results for the Deh Cho. It is my position that the base funding based on the number of students doesn't work.
I would like to suggest a new base formula that guarantees a minimum staffing regardless of the number of students. This would be based on the understanding that it does not matter how many students you have in the school; you need a part-time custodian, principal, secretary, program support teacher, and teachers. There are districts in BC that use this approach, with better results for the students. For example, a principal has reports to write for the central office and for ECE, no matter how many students are in the school, but we have some administrators who teach all days. They have no time for administration. Once this basic funding is in place, other formulas should kick in based on the number of students, with the understanding that you will need two teachers, no matter what.
I recommend to the staff of the department that we see additional funding for the Deh Cho divisional education council in the following areas:
- A language support person to help with translation; as well, this position will help promote the revitalization of Indigenous language in the region;
- An intern program support teacher, whose focus would be to step in where school has a vacancy or where there is an illness;
- A position focused entirely on curriculum support; she or he would ensure that the students are not falling behind and would build an education program; and
- A curriculum support advisor; this person would carry the profile of literacy, numeracy, and writing, ensuring that the students get the support that they need.
I will have questions for the Minister of ECE later today, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.