Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of hundreds of concerned parents in my constituency, I’m delighted to see the government moving forward with the Education Renewal, but I have two tough-minded messages for the department that’s heading up the overhaul. The first message is that parents want to be involved. The majority of NWT schools are in small communities and the Department of Education needs to be listening to parents in these places. Their hearts are broken when they see their children’s poor results.
Their grief is deep when they discover their child’s high school diploma is not adequate for entrance into university or college. Their frustration is beyond measure when they discover courses offered in small community high schools are not academically rigorous.
Their desire is to do everything in their power to maximize their young child’s readiness for kindergarten.
To be sure, it is commendable that the department consulted with numerous groups, including district education councils, Aboriginal governments and community organizations. That demonstrates a real openness to hearing what needs to be fixed and ideas for moving forward.
But more has to be done to reach out to parents for advice. Parents want to be treated as vital partners in the renewal effort.
The second message is that we need decisive leadership. It’s the only way to turn the ship around. We need to show true leadership in education renewal, make some real changes for real results.
It is a travesty when top students in our small communities aren’t passing the departmental exams.
The situation is abysmal when only 11 percent of Grade 9 students in small community schools meet the standard of excellence on the Alberta achievement test. This 11 percent figure compares to 77 percent of similarly aged students in Alberta.
The document tabled last week certainly contains valuable material, but some of the language is woolly and vague. We need to do more than support initiatives and provide opportunity and enhance programs and ensure better supports are in place.
Enough is enough. We need to fix the education system. I implore the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to get connected to parents in our small communities and show decisive leadership that will bring real and lasting results.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.
