Student financial assistance. Mr. Speaker, as another school year ends, I want to recognize the high school students graduating across the Northwest Territories. This is an exciting time for our young people, filled with hope and ambition, as they prepare to leave their communities to pursue post-secondary education. However, Mr. Speaker, the reality for Indigenous students in our smaller communities is more complicated. The education outcomes in small communities continue to fall behind those in our regional centres.
Mr. Speaker, too many of our graduates do not meet the entry requirement for direct admission into the programs of their choice. Instead, they are forced to pursue academic upgrading before continuing their studies.
Mr. Speaker, we discussed this in the last sitting with the closure of the community learning centres. Our students do not want to return to high school or even Aurora College to complete their upgrading. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, our current Student Financial Assistance Policy does not support students upgrading outside of Aurora College. Students and families who want to explore other institutions are denied funding. It feels like we are holding them hostage to limited options in Fort Smith, Yellowknife, or Inuvik. We also lack financial assistance for part-time studies. Students on income support or those working full-time in small communities deserve access to programs like personal support worker training without financial barriers.
Mr. Speaker, if we want to create a strong workforce and reduce dependency, we must invest in flexible, accessible education for all our youth, especially our Indigenous students in small communities. I will have questions for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment at the appropriate time. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Monfwi. Members' statements. Member from Range Lake.
