Jackson Lafferty

I fully agree that we have to do better. That’s what we’re eyeing and focusing on in the Educational Renewal and Innovation. We want to make some changes along the way. Literacy coaches, as I stated before, have been very successful, and we want to capture that in other schools, as well, because we want our students to succeed throughout the Northwest Territories. Those are the discussions that we are currently having. We’ll continue to do so with our key stakeholders and our partners. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

As I stated, there’s a variety of parties that we need to work with. With the college campuses we have in the Northwest Territories, obviously we deliver degree programs, we deliver master’s programs and Dechinta also offers university programs. So we are doing very preliminary work with the work that Dechinta has done to date and what programs the college is offering at this point. There is a variety of partners that we have in southern institutions and how can we best put that into perspective as a northern university program deliverer. Those are some of the areas that we are currently...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. When it comes to educating our community members, obviously literacy plays a key role at the community level. We work closely with our partners, as well, the NWT Literacy Council. We provide funding on an annual basis and they work very closely with the community. They’re always in the communities promoting literacy, whether it be in schools or at the community level.

Not only the Dechinta alumni but others as well. We have a great deal of graduates coming out of our college in the Northwest Territories. The Skills for Success will highlight those individuals and what kind of credential and qualifications industries or GNWT or the private sector needs. We want to train those individuals as well. Yes, those are the tools that we need to deliver to those individuals. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

When we first initiated this discussion, obviously the terms of reference were shared with the standing committee and it’s also on our website. I will be getting back to the Member more specifically when they’re going to be visiting his community, along with other Members’ communities, as well, to gather their information and do the overall review. Mahsi.

Most definitely. I believe Dechinta is a foundation we can build on as well as working with other partners. There are other countries that have established universities, even in a small population. So we are currently exploring those areas and doing a thorough research because we want to compile the information, sit down with Dechinta, the college and see where we can fit it in. U of A is part of the process as well. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

The Education Renewal and Innovation has engaged students in a wide variety of ways. We want to hear their perspectives, their experience, what they’re faced with, whether it be in high school, whether it be in post-secondary, because from their feedback we want to make productive choices and make some changes with our Education Act and programming. We’ll continue to push that forward. This is not the only time. There will be plenty of opportunities to engage our students across the Northwest Territories, the 8,000 students. We want them to be successful. We are creating all these different...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. We are currently going through the review process. We’ve hired consultants to engage with the general public, the DECs, Aboriginal leadership, Aboriginal Head Start program in the communities, the licenced daycare and family day home operators, and more specifically on how the JK is being delivered in the communities. Also, there was an Arctic Aboriginal Head Start Council. Their programming, Aboriginal governments and the NWTTA is part of the process and the public engagement.

We’re expecting that report and the overall review to be completed by July 2015 and then we will...

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] I would like to also recognize students from Dechinta. We’ve been working with them for many years now and they have been working with us in Education. We’ve been working very well and moving forward with education.

Also, I would also like to recognize the Austin family in the audience. I realize that they are in a situation, but we are going to support them, also with prayers for them.

The Member is referring to 100 percent. Obviously, I agree with that, but it takes a whole community. It just takes the Department of Education to graduate these individuals. We have to gain support and a push from the parents, a push from the community members, the leaders. We’ve had some challenges along the way. Yes, we’re at a 50 percent margin right now, but obviously our goal is to increase that through the Education Renewal and Innovation. I have just captured some of the key points that we will be delivering, working with our stakeholders. We can’t forget that the district education...