Kim Barraclough
Northern News Services

NNSL (Apr 26/99) - Students are suffering as the NWT's school system disintegrates into such a dysfunctional state, the highest numbers are found not on report cards but suicide, drop-out and teacher turnover rates, all the highest in the country.

"It's really a crisis situation," said Michael Simms, secretary/treasurer for the NWT Teachers' Association administrators' council.

"(The crisis) affects every aspect of the community."

According to Simms, education lacks enough funding to deal with overcrowded classrooms, special-needs students, and burnt-out teachers.

"(The school system) needs a 30 to 40 per cent increase in funding," said Simms.

He said there are currently about 24 to 27 students per class and teachers are not able to give the students the individual attention they need -- especially with inclusive classes, where special-needs kids are integrated into a regular classroom environment. When support staff and administration are included, the ratio drops drastically to 18.5 students to one.

"Teachers very quickly burn-out -- it's exhausting," said Simms, who predicts the lack of individual attention school kids are receiving -- by no fault of the teachers -- will soon lead to increased crime and behaviour problems in adolescents.

"(Lack of funding) tears the whole fabric of society," said Simms. "If (the children) are our future then for God's sake look after them. We're losing them and it's no ones fault but our own."

Empty pockets

Territorial government funding for schools in the Western NWT in 1998/99 was over $76 million. Next year, the government has budgeted approximately $80 million. According to Paul Devitt, a director of management services for the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, the funding increase is to accommodate higher enrolment and wage changes for non-teaching staff.

Education Minister Michael Miltenberger said he realizes the need for increased funding but also pointed out that all the departments have a need for more funding.

"There are all these important and competing needs," said Miltenberger. "There's no money in the bank."

"We have enough money to maintain programs and services this year," said Miltenberger. He added that the future is hazy for spending and if the North does not find other forms of revenue soon, more problems could arise.

Pat Thomas, president of the NWT Teachers' Association, also feels the school system is sliding down the slippery slope due to lack of funding. "Education is just ready to snap."

According to Thomas, about 20 per cent of teachers leave the North each year. "That's a high turnover." Although the percentage of teachers leaving has not increased in years past, Thomas believes problems are on the horizon, especially with the lack of teachers in the south and poor working conditions in the North.

"We believe there's going to be a teacher shortage." <