Alfred Moses

We are still waiting on that strategic plan. At this time, we are looking at these programs to see where we are getting the best investments and the end product. I encourage all the students here, as we continue to support the students going through the program before they finish, that they work hard, study, and make sure to graduate because that was one of the factors was we weren't getting graduates coming out of the program for the big investment that we put in.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Mr. Fraser Oliver, president of the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association; Adrien Amirault, executive director for the NWT Teachers' Association; and Amanda Mallon, professional development coordinator. I want to let them know that we are very appreciative of the work that you do on behalf of our teachers across the Northwest Territories.

I also want to recognize all the students who are here today. We are listening to you and really appreciate that you have made the time and effort to come and join us.

As well, we...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Education Act, be read for the second time. This bill amends the Education Act to change the age of access to kindergarten programs from five years of age to four years of age. The act is also amended to reduce the minimum hours of instruction required for grades 1 through 12. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

I believe this is going to have a very positive impact on our teachers and our youth and people who work in the education system. There will be no changes to the diploma which NWT students currently receive.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Through the Education Renewal Framework, we have a lot of interesting pilots, a lot of great things that are happening that are going to help improve student outcomes, but on the other side we want to make sure that we are taking care of our teachers. As is heard in the news, they are averaging about 52 hours of work a week. They are hardworking. They are dedicated, committed, go above and beyond to make sure that our students get the best opportunities for success in the future.

The instructional hours, I know it has been debated in the public. Those are just opinions...

There will be no impact on the funds. We will still continue to fund the eight Aboriginal Head Start programs. In 2015-16 we funded them to the tune of $260,000. We're expecting, at the end of this year, the funds that we've given to all eight organizations would be in the area of around $285,000.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. From the Member's statement earlier, we did contact the department and ask them to give us an update. I don’t have a firm date right now, but as soon as soon as we get it we will share it with the Members. Thank you.

This program, both the programs, have been around for a long time. When I did say we are listening, we are hearing, we are continuing to support all the students who are here today through Student Financial Assistance programming, as I mentioned before, best in the country. We are going to give them all the support they need to graduate from the program in the time that is allocated.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have mentioned in this House before, the executive council for Aurora College did consult and meet with our department. We looked at where we can look at reductions and look at our programs, and it is always being reviewed, and looking at how many graduates do we get out of the programs for the big investment that we put in. These two programs were recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the past year, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment has implemented new initiatives and improved existing programs and services to help meet our mandate commitments to address the cost of living for NWT residents.

We all understand the importance of reducing poverty and providing our residents with the tools necessary to achieve their goals and live healthy, productive lives. The work under way at the department supports those goals.

Actions in early childhood development, in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Services, have been...