N.W.T. government delaying junior kindergarten rollout

The N.W.T. government is putting plans to expand junior kindergarten into regional centres and Yellowknife on hold for at least a year pending a review of the program.

Premier Bob McLeod saysfollowing feedback fromMLAs, the government will spend the next eight months reviewing how the program is running in 23 small communities.

"The government will also reach out to all other education authorities, Aboriginal Head Start, licensed daycare and day home operators, parents and the general public to hear their views about whether junior kindergarten should be offered in the future and, if so, how," said McLeod.

Thereview will be presented to this government but it will also bepart of the transition to the next legislative assembly.

Because the next territorial election isn't until next fall, afinal decision will be at least a year away.

The plan had to been to start junior kindergarten in Fort Smith, Hay River andInuvikschools next September.

McLeod also says the 23 communities now offering junior kindergarten may choose to cancel the program at any time.

Several regularMLAssay adding a new grade to the school system requires additional money. McLeod says the current funding plan is not changing.

The Premier's press secretary says McLeod made today's announcement"to emphasize that it was a collective decision cabinet made together following discussions with regular members."

JacksonLafferty, minister of Education, Culture and Employment, says he's heard good things about the junior kindergarten programs running now and will be looking for feedback.

"We need to hear from the parents, the operators, all those operators we may have missed out on," he said in an interview."With any new programming there's always challenges. I still believethat juniorkindergartenis the right program to take on. From the research we've done, this is the right thing to do. As you know the early developmentinstruments tells us38 per cent of our fiveyearoldsare developmentally challenged right now. "

Some regular members commended the decision, but questioned how delaying the program will affect school boards in Yellowknife.

"We will be doing reductions in 15-16 from education authorities that will get nothing for at least another two or three years?" said Wendy Bisaro, MLA for Frame Lake.

"Today's announcement does take some stress away, and it is welcoming. However,without a clear mandate for a new funding model this momentary pause in program roll-out is perceived as nothing but a delay tactic for the 18th assembly to deal with," said Daryl Dolynny, MLA for Range Lake.

ReporterElizabeth McMillan was live from the legislature this afternoon.