I'd like to welcome you and the students as well. Your organization seems to be a very positive one. Basically, Ms. Lindell has introduced to us this morning a northern diamond in the rough, namely qualified young students with very high self-esteem. In my view, that's extremely important.
The education system appears to be an obstacle course of sorts. As my colleague Mr. Albrecht was saying, at the primary level, language seems to be a barrier. That explains why 75 per cent of students, an unacceptably high number, drop out. The committee needs to look at this situation which affects students from grades one through twelve. We need to put our heads together and look at ways of lowering the dropout rate.
You've made it clear that what you want is stable funding for your institution. The committee will probably be making a recommendation to that effect.
Do you see any other obstacles in your path? Aside from language, why do you think the dropout rate is 75 per cent? How do you explain this state of affairs, Mr. Obed? What steps can be taken to lower the dropout rate and to encourage more people to enrol in programs such as yours? The question is for anyone who would care to venture an answer.