Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, right now in the communities throughout the Beaufort Delta region only 30 per cent of the students in grades 10, 11, 12 are going to school. Beaufort Delta District Education Council describes the situation as critical. Mr. Speaker, I know there are many reasons students skip school; attendance goes down as weather gets warmer, or young people may be staying up late and sleeping in. Sometimes the work can be discouraging too, especially if young people have to leave their home communities to finish their high school education. Another factor, Mr. Speaker, is the school's capacity, its ability to deliver what the students need. Let's consider Mangilaluk School in Tuktoyaktuk. First built in the 1990s, Mangilaluk School was originally built for kindergarten to grade nine, then expanded up to include up to grade 12. It now supports 18 teachers, not including other staff, and 225 students.
Back in the 15th Assembly, the Member of my region raised the first alarm of the concerns about students of all ages having to study and learn in close quarters. Later, in the 16th Assembly, the previous Member for Nunakput said in the House, “at Mangilaluk School we are seriously over crowded. Mangilaluk School desperately needs an extension to accommodate growing needs of the community.” Now here we are in the 18th Assembly and Tuktoyaktuk's population has continued to grow over the past five years with the number of children and young people aged zero to 24 either holding steady and, in some age groups, even growing. Junior kindergarten also means more students, Mr. Speaker. The community will be well-served by plans for a new school and knowing how long these projects take, Mr. Speaker, the time to start is now. I'll have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' Statements. Member for Hay River North.
