Igloolik MLA pushes minister to build new school
Ataguttaaluk Elementary School is one of the oldest in Nunavut
Aggu MLA Joanna Quassa said in the legislative assembly Thursday it’s time for the Government of Nunavut to replace Igloolik’s Ataguttaaluk Elementary School, which faces numerous maintenance issues. (File photo by Madalyn Howitt)
Igloolik’s MLA is pressing the territorial Education Department to replace her community’s elementary school.
Ataguttaaluk Elementary School, built in 1968, is one of the oldest in Nunavut.
In the legislative assembly Thursday, Aggu MLA Joanna Quassa spoke about a recent building assessment report for the school, which identified 127 issues including plumbing problems, exterior damage and electrical deficiencies.
Nunatsiaq News published a story about the assessment’s findings in April.
“I believe that the time has come for our government to consider building a new school for the community of Igloolik,” Quassa said in her member’s statement.
“We encourage our youth to attend school and continue with their education. It is important that they have a safe and comfortable environment to learn in at the appropriate time.”
Quassa stayed on the issue during question period, asking Education Minister Pamela Gross about the school’s issues.
Gross reiterated that critical repairs identified in the report are underway.
As for building a new school in Igloolik, the possibility is on the Government of Nunavut’s radar, Gross said.
“We are working to bring the school forward in the pre-planning phase; that’s an area where we do have other schools that are going forward,” she said.
“As always, we try and advance our schools, and we can only do a limited number every year, but we are always looking for outside funds to support our schools and the infrastructure in our territory.”
Should send some Dorset kids to Igloolik. They’ll know what to do.
Our Government is building a new high school Our Government should be smarter and build a elementary school with a high school most schools in Nunavut are 40 years old if not older What a waste of money our Government
Replacing 25 million and higher buildings be ause they are 25 to 40 years old is the big waste of money. Maintain them, respect thee building, teach the kids respect, and that will have the buildings last many, many more decades. This is not a throw away item. It is a lot of money that need not be wasted because of poor management.
Umm….yeah….mother nature is also a big factor in this. Can you imagine the dirty water running though their dirty pipes? Can you deal with nailed down windows? What the hell would happen in a fire emergency? Children will be trapped inside a old old school. Miss or mister whoever the hell you are.
So your solutio is to burn the building. What kind of demented attitude is that. A that attitude is the whole reason why the buildings deteriorate. Something is broken, ignore it, throw it away, wreck it, burn it, and build a new one to start the cycle over. What is going through your head wheen you one up with the nonsense.
Don’t they have 3 schools since that boondoggle, Sivunit was built?
Clean, flush, repair, replace damage when it happens. Do the job.
For decades we have taken buildings which have been neglected and revived them. Yes we take advantage of others, laziness, lack of skills, lack of knowledge and apply the required, knowledge, skill, funds and ambition to turn every type of building into viable, repurchased and refurbished structures which the new owners are proud to occupy. It’s a matter of vision and the willingness to do what others will not.
So you want your buildings to last longer. Privatise maintenance. Yes those evil contractors will make a profit however they will be bound y a contract. No performance no contract. They may even hire local qualified or will train. But the evil will remain. Taking jobs no one wants to do or can do. But what is wrong with that. Your 10s of million dollar buildings will last longer.