Coppermine (Feb 09/04) - Students are behind in their studies after the influenza A outbreak forced schools in the community to shut down for up to three weeks in December.

The issue was compounded by the arrival of departmental exams.

"For us that's going to be a big issue -- whether or not being off for so long affected their chance of being successful in their exams," said Alex Buchan, chair of the district education authority.

"We've got seven or eight of our students on track to graduate this year out of our community, and we really hope to maintain that."

Students at Kugluktuk High School found lessons extra challenging due to the flu, said Keith Parker, principal of the school.

"I think anytime something like that happens -- especially timing-wise it was right before the Christmas break -- it's a challenge," said Parker.

To cope with the rush to exams, teacher Russ Sheppard and Parker ran study halls on the weekends.

"They've been working extra hard," Parker said.

"But we won't really know what affect the flu has until the results come in."

Parker said he supported the decision to close the schools. The high school was closed for two weeks, and the elementary school for three. Departmental exams count for 50 per cent of the students' final marks.