Pleading to opt out of JK program
Four MLAs stand up to ask minister to reconsider the way junior kindergarten will roll out
Randi Beers
Northern News Services
Published Monday, October 27, 2014
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Hay River South MLA Jane Groenewegen warned Education, Culture and Employment Minister Jackson Lafferty on Oct. 16 she will "lay down on the road" to stop the implementation of junior kindergarten in her community if that's what it takes.
In a particularly heated exchange, Groenewegen pointed to a handful of existing early childhood education options in Hay River, warning that junior kindergarten threatens to "gut" these programs, and asked the minister to give district education authorities (DEA) the choice to opt out completely.
Lafferty responded he has met with DEA chairs, listened to their concerns and has indeed given them options.
"Whether it be part-time or full-time, I gave them the flexibility," he said.
"We gave them the option to deliver this into the communities. That's the reason why we have 23 communities. I'm the minister responsible for the whole Northwest Territories. This particular program benefits all communities and it's optional to take on this program if they wish."
Earlier this year, six communities opted to postpone implementation of junior kindergarten until the 2015-16 school year: Aklavik, Paulatuk, Behchoko, Wekweeti, Whati and Gameti. As of fall 2016, it will be mandatory that all communities offer the program, although individual parents will have the ability to opt out.
A visibly frustrated Groenewegen told Lafferty she refutes his claim junior kindergarten will benefit all communities.
Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins rode the momentum caused by Greoenewegen to make his own criticisms of the program.
"This minister should be proud that he's going to go down in history (as) the person who ruined daycare in the Northwest Territories," he said.
Weledeh MLA Bob Bromley accused the minister of causing a "chill in the ranks of (the department) surrounding any acknowledgments of difficulty with the implementation of the program."
Lafferty answered there isn't a chill, but there actually haven't been any major complaints, adding the department has a junior kindergarten hotline for people to call with questions or concerns.
Mackenzie Delta MLA Frederick Blake Jr. also stood up to highlight junior kindergarten concerns in Fort McPherson.
"This year all that was given to implement this was $15,000, and if you didn't implement it this year, next year you won't get anything," said Blake.
"There is also a shortage of staff. In Fort McPherson, for example, we have 14 junior kindergarten and 14 kindergarten (students). Can you imagine taking on 28 small children in one classroom without any assistants?"
Lafferty said his department is committed to re-evaluating the program as it rolls out.
