Fort Liard (Mar 21/03) - A flexible approach. That's what adult educator Harp Singh has adopted in an attempt to keep students coming back to Aurora College in Fort Liard.

The 11 students enrolled in adult basic education are not being forced to attend classes every day if they need time off to go to work.

"Basically, if they've gone for a month to (an oil and gas) camp as a priority to feed their families, when they come back they can just pick up from where they have left off," Singh explained. "That's one thing we've tried this year and I think it's been very successful."

Only two students have dropped out since September, he noted.

Joanne Deneron, former mayor and now a band and hamlet councillor, has witnessed Aurora College struggle with minimal enrolment over the past several years. With oil and gas activity, there are plenty of jobs to be had, particularly during the winter months.

"There are so many people working that school is the last thing on their mind," Deneron said. "There are a lot of labour jobs ... people like the money."

Karen Kotchea was one of those labourers. For years, she worked as a heavy equipment operator, on seismic lines and in camps and catering. A mother of three, Kotchea said she had to convince herself to return to school last year but she's happy with her choice.

"It's really exciting for me to learn new things," she said.

When it comes to careers, she is convinced "there's something better out there." She's now aiming to become a power operator at a gas field site.

Kotchea gives Singh credit for being a supportive classroom instructor.

"He's very educated, really smart," she said. "He's very helpful."

Trying to address other realms of education, Aurora College has also been offering introductory accounting classes in Fort Liard one evening per week. The college has also partnered with the Acho Dene Koe First Nation to offer Class 5 and Class 7 drivers courses to a dozen people earlier this month. A global positioning system (GPS) course and an introduction to computers course will be offered in April as well.

Having just arrived last year, Singh said his greatest challenge has been getting to know people in the community and their needs.

"My learning curve is very high as well," he said.