Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are certainly times when our education system doesn’t support our students or support the good decisions made by their parents.
In many of our small communities, students have to go away to a larger centre to complete high school. That can be really on both the student and the parents. For example, Mr. Speaker, a parent I know in Trout Lake wants to send their child to Yellowknife for high school instead of Fort Simpson. This parent has considered the various factors and made a decision. However, the education authority does not agree with this choice and will not support it. What does that mean? It means they will fund high school in Fort Simpson, but not Yellowknife. Basically it means that the parent’s judgment is written off. The system seems to think it knows better, Mr. Speaker.
School funding is largely based on enrollment, so if a student enrolls in a Yellowknife school, it will be funded accordingly by the Department of Education. We are paying to educate that Trout Lake student anyway. Why does the parent have no right to choose where their son or daughter goes to high school?
On one hand, Mr. Speaker, we want and expect parents to be true partners in the education system. On the other hand, we fail to support those parents who try to take reasonable, concrete steps to help their children succeed. It is a mixed message at best. Really, it is shameful.
I want to be absolutely clear. Our system must support what is best for the students. Our system must support decisions made by parents in their children’s best interests. Our government is in part responsible for Aboriginal education in the Northwest Territories. If our residents seek training through the federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs, they can seek it anywhere within reason. This is the example we need to follow. I don’t think it takes a full reform of our education system to make changes like this one. The Minister can, and should, order it done.
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Member for Range Lake, Mr. Dolynny.
