Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I asked a couple of questions on the Teacher Education Program, trying to get a feel for what the plan is moving forward with the elimination of this program. I want to ask the Minister if there is a plan to replace this program with something of that type of level of professionalism that is required. When you finish the Teacher Education Program you have opportunities to get decent-level jobs. I am wondering what will replace that? Thank you.
Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to make it clear that both the social work program and the Teacher Education Program are being phased out. I mean, the students that are in both programs are still going to get the support that they need to complete the studies that they are currently in. The teachers are going to get the support they need so they can support the students for that success. We are still going to be waiting on that strategic plan coming out, but this was one program that was identified. When I mentioned earlier, are we getting the biggest bang for the investments that we are making in certain programs, that is something that we are looking at and something we are working with our board of governors and our senior staff at the Aurora College to identify those reductions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Is the Minister telling me that there will not be something to replace the Teacher Education Program?
No, I am not saying that. I am saying that we are going to have to wait until April when we are able to see that Aurora College strategic 10-year plan, working with the board of governors, our staff, as well as the senior management of Aurora College. Once we get that report, all that information will be shared with committee and Members.
One of the programs, obviously, that must have stood out as a program that was failing to meet its effectiveness would have been TEP, since it has been phased out. The phase-out period is going to be from now until 2020. I would like to ask the Minister if he could advise the House how many actual employees of Aurora College would be affected by that phase out?
I don't have the exact numbers right now. As I mentioned, I will be meeting with the board of governors this weekend. We will be looking at bringing some of these concerns forward. They are obviously listening this week very closely, and we can get the numbers for the Member.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
