Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today my Member’s statement is on the school extension at Mangilaluk School in Tuktoyaktuk. Recently Don Kindt Consulting conducted and completed, released a report identifying serious deficiencies and inadequacies with Mangilaluk School in the community of Tuktoyaktuk. I wish to thank the Minister and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment for funding the evaluation.
The concerns identified in the report cover a wide range of problems but mainly focus on the lack of physical space, which, according to the community’s high school principal, is negatively impacting the successful learning environment. The report highlights the fact that so many areas, from the size of the gymnasium, the size of the library, lack of space for students to congregate, are far below territorial standards. Our Nunakput students are less deserving. Why do the students in small, remote communities always have to do with less than others?
The government once promised that all students across the Northwest Territories will receive equal quality education. This government is losing and the commitment is not being fulfilled.
The vice-principal, program teacher and classroom assistant all use a small office space out of the library. To make matters worse, they share with the students because they have nowhere to congregate or study.
Mangilaluk School desperately needs an extension to accommodate the growing needs of the community. School supplies are being stored in a donated C-can from NTCL. Teachers have to eat their lunch in the hallway. Mangilaluk School is a poster school of the government’s failure to provide equal quality education.
Community schools are supposed to be a focal point in the community where activities and gatherings and, most importantly, learning takes place. When the school lacks the most basic standards, the whole community suffers. Students should be able to go to school and enjoy it. They should feel comfortable that education is not only books, tests and buildings, they are environments, teachers and the community.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.
One of the government’s pledges is to provide good, equal education for all residents of the Northwest Territories, but when smaller communities are so far below larger centres such as Yellowknife, I wonder if this government will put their money where their mouth is. We have to commit to put improvements needed and identified in the Don Kindt Consulting report on Mangilaluk School. I will have questions for the Minister of ECE at the appropriate time.
Thank you, Mr. Jacobson. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
