Yose Cormier
Northern News Services

Resolute (Sep 01/03) - The library was in the hallway, the community hall often turned into a classroom and teachers talked to students in the kitchen.

That was the state of Qarmartalik school for the past couple of years as the student population keeps increasing.

But this year, things promise to be better. The school is being renovated and will double in size.

"My classroom last year was the size of a medium-sized bedroom. I had room for 12 desks, but one of my classes had 18 students," said Earl Crowther, who teaches math, science and gym to junior high and senior students.

There are between 75 and 80 students expected to attend this year, but because renovations are still underway, the starting date has been postponed.

The cost of the project is about $2.2 million and Crowther feels it is money well spent.

"Basically the school was really small. It was the size of two or three normal houses. We had no extra space for anything. We had no library. We had a couple of bookcases in the hall. We had books all over the place," said Crowther, who will begin his third year of teaching in Resolute.

He also said there were no lab facilities, or even equipment.

Now, they'll have room to breath.

"The space gives you room to spread out and not be on top of everybody," he said.

The primary and junior high students will be separate from the high school students.

"It will provide the older students some space. Students will gain the most from the expansion. It will be a convenience for teachers, make it easier because the students will be more content," said Crowther.

Other additions include a library and computer room, a kitchen that will be used among other things for home ec classes and a TTS room.

"The TTS room is where we provide traditional skills like carving and cleaning seals.

"It will also be an area where you can do long term projects and leave them out," said Crowther, pointing out that before there was just no room to leave projects lying around.

No plans are set for a new gym, so the school will continue to use the facilities adjacent to the hamlet office for their gym classes.