Yellowknife, N.W.T. – The GNWT insists it remains committed to inclusive schooling and early childhood development.

As a part of the Legislative Assembly's review and approval of the 2012-2013 Main Estimates, the GNWT re-allocated 1 million dollars to early childhood development, but some school boards have said it will have an impact on existing programs.

Range Lake MLA Daryl Dolynny said the members decided to make this change after finding that the most important place to put money towards is early childhood development.

“Findings are showing zero to three years of age is where you’ll get the biggest dividends on the money invested,” he said. “Knowing that information and going through the review process of this year’s budget, we took a look at those fundamentals,” he said.

Dolynny said he is hoping this is something that will help down the road.

“We’re hoping that, in the future, all school boards are realizing that those funds have to be used to their maximum,” he said. “Early childhood development is on the forefront and we have to figure out ways to maximize those funding dollars for ECD.”

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment said it reviewed past spending for the categories and ensured there would be minimal impact on programs and services.

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