[English translation not provided.]
Mr. Speaker, I’d like to talk about recent discussions on government cutbacks and their potential impacts on operations on the South Slave District Education Council and the governing body for education for Lutselk’e and Fort Resolution.
The council was established in 1991 to administer K-to-12 education systems for Fort Smith, Hay River, Katlodeeche First Nation, Lutselk’e, and Fort Resolution. Council serves eight schools, with a total student population of approximately 1,800. The council is comprised of one representative in each of the five community-based district education authorities.
Council’s primary responsibility is to provide educational needs for students in the South Slave region. This involves determining the allocation of financial resources, monitoring, evaluating and reporting results to its stakeholders.
Mr. Speaker, the council is very concerned to hear of recent potential government cutbacks. Any reduction to school funding could offset priorities identified previously. The previous government committed to reducing teacher-student ratio to 14:1 — from currently 15:1 — over the next two years and increasing PE and trades’ teaching positions. Any degree of cuts will have a detrimental effect on the council, the local district authority and, more importantly, the education of the students.
On areas to be examined for cutbacks and reprofiling, this government must make education a priority and remain committed to its previous commitment to the South Slave Divisional Education Council and ensure this Assembly’s efforts to support youth are continued.
The council and their respective DEAs have shown good fiscal responsibility. In addition to this, the council’s recently implemented numeracy and literacy initiatives addressing key identifiable needs are showing promising results. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, the council needs continued support from this government to maximize results and build a better future for the N.W.T.
Later on today I will be asking questions of the Minister of Education.
