The MLA for Old Crow, Yukon, is asking for more visits home for students from his community studying in Whitehorse.

Darius Elias told the legislative assembly this week that high school students from Old Crow spend more than nine months a year away from home.

The government flies them home to their families twice during the school year, for Christmas and Spring Break.

Elias would like extra flights home at Thanksgiving and Easter.

“I agree that this is a long time to be spending away from one's family, and we are seeing some poor results and some results in Old Crow, I think, with students who aren't achieving success here in Whitehorse at the high school level,” said Education Minister Scott Kent.

“I think we will be able to address a number of these concerns, including the travel. I don't think it's going to add a significant amount to the budget and I think it's something we can deal with rather quickly.”

It wasn't a firm promise but Elias said he was happy to hear it.

“That was encouraging,” he said. “I am glad I asked this question today on behalf of my constituents because it seems there is a level of detail we can't handle here in 60 seconds in question period but I appreciate the minister of Education's invitation to discuss these matters further.”

Kent said the latest budget numbers show the government spent $32,000 last year for student travel to and from Old Crow.

Old Crow, Yukon’s most northerly community, has a population of 245 according to the 2011 census.