Alfred Moses

Currently, we are going through the Aurora College strategic plan, and we have yet to see what the outcome is with that report. The discussions can continue from there. Once we see that report and it is tabled in the House, then we can have those discussions.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have made those investments, fully funding junior kindergarten moving forward, so it's not on the backs of children. We work with the school boards to ensure that they get the support they need for student best outcomes, best student success for Northern residents, right from our smallest communities to here in Yellowknife. Those decisions are also made by the school board, how they take that funding that we give them and allocate it in the school system.

As I've said in the House on many occasions, we do give $152 million to all the education boards. How they choose to budget line items within those dollars that we give them is up to the education board.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake that Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Education Act, be read for the first time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As soon as the Budget Address was completed last week, our staff made phone calls to all the superintendents and was working out a plan moving forward. Of course, with the new funding that was announced, we're going to want to meet and talk with all the school boards and have them present information to parents as well. We, as a department, are going to be sending out letters to all parents as well who have junior kindergarten students, as well as information packages.

Yes, our department will work with Public Works and Services on that report and provide it to the Member.

Currently, the department funds students through the Student Financial Assistance on their tuition up to $2,400 per semester. Our increases are still way below that. Any student at Aurora College who might have concerns, they are still going to get the full tuition to move forward in their programming. That $2,400 per semester will also cover the most expensive programs within Aurora College. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, support for students in the JK to 12 system that focus around inclusive schooling, they'll have access to those services and supports as well as even more teachers in the school system. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment and Aurora College have worked together in identifying potential expenditure reductions over a three-year period to help ensure the long-term sustainability of Aurora College so that we can continue to provide good programming moving forward. The reduction decisions were made to ensure that Aurora College is operating in a manner that was cost-effective and efficient, as I mentioned before.

Junior kindergarten itself is a play-based program. Inclusive schooling is focused on helping students who need that extra assistance from the K to 12 system, and right now as we're implementing it we're continuing to evaluate the program and we'll see what comes out of these discussions with the superintendents and the boards.