Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Earlier today I spoke about social passing that’s happening in our schools. As I travel in my constituency, many parents raise concern about that. I know that there is a practice out there and I’d like to ask the Minister of Education, why is our education system allowing social passing. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Peer passing is part of the school system within our education system, where individuals are passed through grades to be with their peers. There has been a lot of research done in this area. We’ve done a lot of consultation and engagement with the various stakeholders not only in the Northwest Territories but outside. We have individual experts in that field who gave us presentations that said that there are stats out there and that peer passing is one of those fundamental ways of dealing with children, whereas frustration kicks in and so forth. We’re doing what we can with additional support to the parents and to the students as well. Those are just some of the areas where we are currently working with. Mahsi.
I know that this might have been a passing fad 10 or 15 years ago when they introduced it, but it’s not working.
I’d like to ask the Minister, does he have any statistics or can he show any productive results that show that peer passing is working in our system. I know that the parents who approach me say it’s not. Thank you.
I certainly will share the stats and information that we’ve received from the experts over the years. They are telling us that peer passing is the best way to approach these students. Not only that, research that we’ve done, stats address those areas as well.
The peer passing, when we talk to parents or parents talk to us, there are some mixed messages. Some are in favour; some are not in favour. Based on that, we’ve done some additional research throughout Canada and even throughout the States. I will be sharing that information with the Members. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
I know that we have a huge opportunity to review social passing or peer passing strategy. How extensive will the review of the education system be when the department undertakes the additional review? Thank you.
Mr. Speaker, we’re currently doing an educational review. It is complex. When we talk about the overall review of the NWT education system, that means we have to amend the Education Act. There’s going to be engagement with the general public, as well, and then also the MLAs to provide their input where the changes should be occurring.
With inclusive schooling, there’s a comprehensive study that’s going to be happening, engagement, and also education renewal. That’s going to be slated for this fall. I’m hoping to complete it by this fall so I can present it to the standing committee and before this House as well.
It does cover all areas. There are six pillars within education renewal and I can certainly share that detailed information with the Members as well. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Just in terms of the review, I know that there are some successes from the Aboriginal Student Achievement Strategy, and if the Minister will review that, as well, and take some of the best practices. I know my colleague Mr. Bromley brought up an excellent program out of Finland. I just want to know how extensive this review will be. Will it be just internal? Will it be looking at other jurisdictions in Canada? Will it be looking at other jurisdictions throughout the world? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, it will be extended out to other jurisdictions as well. We’re doing research in this area from our counterparts across the country, and not only that but with ASA what we’ve heard from the general public, and through addictions there’s the forum that’s happening. There are all these different forums that are currently occurring in the Northwest Territories. We’re hearing the same common thing. Based on the six pillars I addressed earlier, system accountability; professional capacity, that deals with the teachers and educators; assessment practices, so based on the various assessments within the school system; small community schools and most isolated communities as well; and early childhood development research. Those are the key factors I will be taking into consideration within the renewal. I’m really looking forward to the outcome from the stakeholders’ input. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
