Mr. Speaker, [No translation provided].
Mr. Speaker, I would like to address the upcoming closure of all community learning centres across the territory in June. We have heard that Aurora College is ending in-person adult education programs that learning centres provide to Tlicho communities like Whati.
Mr. Speaker, Aurora College received almost $46 million in grants and contributions from the Government of the Northwest Territories in 2024. We should be doing more for small communities, not less. There was no consultation about these closures. Our people would not have agreed. The community learning centres work closely with schools in the communities and gives adults a place to earn high school credits. At the very least, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment should have consulted with residents to evaluate each learning centre on an individual basis. We have not been told what alternatives will be put in place for the services that were provided.
Mr. Speaker, if Aurora College is unable or unwilling to provide services to non-post secondary adult learners, perhaps the funding should go to the school boards. There's 33 communities, and each one have school boards. They are the experts in elementary and secondary education. They have facilities, and they employ teachers. More partnership should be explored between the education authorities and the learning centres so that there are more opportunities for learners in the Tlicho region and other regions as well. I will have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment. Masi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Members' statements. Member from Frame Lake.
