Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a follow-up to my Member’s statement. I have questions for the Minister of Education. How does the number of students with special needs figure into the way the department funds teaching positions in their schools? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Blake. The honourable Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. This is the area that we need to work closely with the Beaufort-Delta Department of Education, and also local education authority. We provide funding through them based on enrollment. There are PTR and also inclusive schooling. That is their contribution through BDDAC and then on through the communities. When it comes to teachers, it is really up to the school board to hire those teachers, hire those professionals, so we will continue to work with them. If there is a need in the specific most current school, then that will be addressed next time I meet with the board chairs. Mahsi.
The department’s Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative is helping raise local awareness interests and support for the schools and students. This is certainly true in Aklavik. What will the Minister do to answer the need for another teacher for the early grade levels? Thank you.
Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative is in the works during the implementation stages. We work closely with BDDAC on this particular subject. When it comes to hiring additional teachers, this could be a discussion that we could have with the school board identifying a specialized teacher through the ASA if that needs to be the case. It has to be at the board level. I will be discussing that with them as well. Mahsi.
Will the Minister go to Aklavik and see the situation at Moose Kerr School for himself?
Mr. Speaker, by all means, if there is an indication, we are willing to accept and go to communities. I think that is part of the job that we have here. I am looking forward to visiting those communities. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
