GNWT cites falling enrolment for added funding
Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (May 23/01) - Due to lower than expected student enrolment rates, the NWT government will be freeing up extra cash for the upcoming school year.
Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Jake Ootes announced May 18 that $1.3 million of additional funding will be provided to NWT schools for 2001/02.
"We have decreased the PTR (Pupil/teacher ratio) one year earlier than expected," Ootes said in a statement.
Legislation passed last year requires the GNWT to reduce pupil/teacher ratios from 17 to 1 to 16.5 to 1 by 2002/03. Student enrolment in the NWT dropped by 122 pupils over the last year.
A significant percentage of the extra funding will be going to Yellowknife area schools.
Kern von Hagen, superintendent of Yellowknife Catholic schools, said the board will likely receive an additional $150,000 this year.
He said while he is happy the board will be able to hire a couple more teachers, he is also concerned that NWT enrolment rates are dropping.
"Every bit helps," Von Hagen said.
"It puts us a year ahead of schedule, so we can't complain about that.
"My concern is how the money became available. I'm worried that the NWT is experiencing a downturn in student populations ... is the economic growth we're experiencing attracting workers with families?"
Terry Brookes, trustee and chairman of the YK Education District No. 1 Finance Committee, said the board is still uncertain how much money they will be getting.
"I'm assuming by our size that we'll be getting a fair percentage of that (additional funding)," Brookes said.
The district is facing an accumulated deficit of $1.2 million. Brookes said that despite the deficit, the board is on target to meet legislated pupil/teacher ratios, and will not be hiring additional teachers. Instead, Brookes said extra money will be used to "sustain the system."
