Mahsi cho, Mr. Speaker. [English translation not provided.]
In Fort Resolution there is a daycare and a preschool program. These programs are much needed and appreciated. The main problem is the building that houses the daycare and preschool is an old 1960s trailer that was moved to Fort Resolution from Little Buffalo Junction. At this time the building needs a new roof, a new furnace and many other minor repairs, and about 300 to 400 square feet because it’s too small to accommodate the community’s preschool needs.
I believe this building is beyond economical repair, once the expansion is added to the cost of renovations. More space is needed to accommodate the kids who will be going into kindergarten next year. Right now the space will only allow for five preschool students and the need right now is at least 12. The additional students cannot even be added if the space was found, because the preschool would need a half-day teacher to accommodate the students going into kindergarten in September.
The teachers tell me that students in kindergarten are far more ready for kindergarten if they were attending preschool. They are considerably ahead of the other students that are coming straight into kindergarten without any preschool experience.
Preschool and daycare appear to be the first pieces of the puzzle of education. It is very, very important and almost essential in small communities where the overall education levels are lower than average. We need to support daycare and preschool programs.
I’ll be asking the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment to look into providing new space for the daycare and a preschool teacher, at the appropriate time.
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
