Yellowknife (July 09/03) - If a student wants to go to summer school, it will cost them.

The only summer school programs available in Yellowknife are tuition-based, like at Chinook College.

Mieke Cameron, principal at Sir John Franklin, remembers a brief summer when she spearheaded a summer school program in Yellowknife.

"I would love for there to be summer school," Cameron said, acknowledging a need does exist for additional learning during warmer months.

She cited staffing as the main hurdle. Yellowknife teachers are burnt out come June, and roping them into another month of teaching is not viable.

Cameron cajoled a few teachers into that 1998 program, but it collapsed the next year because no one was willing to sacrifice their vacation.

According to Cameron, "teachers work so hard in the North, they are too tired." She understands their desire for time off, but would still like to see summer school go ahead.

Mel Pardy, assistant superintendent of Yellowknife 1 district, has no plans to implement summer school. "If any of the schools came to us with the need, we would look at it." he said.

Students who seek out extra help in the summer generally struggle during the school year, according to Cameron. They benefit from the extra credit and hands-on help.

No classes are in session this summer at Sir John.

The students who need them will have to wait until school reconvenes in September.