Page 4890 - Week 15 - Thursday, 8 December 1994

MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION

QUESTION NO 1479

Hartley House - School Bus Service

MRS CARNELL - asked the Minister for Education and Training on notice on 9 November 1994:

In relation to school transport for children who attend the Hartley Street annexe of the Turner Primary School:

(1) Can the Minister advise what action has been taken to ensure that school buses arrive at the

school prior to the commencement of classes in the morning.

(2) Has consideration been given to an alternative service provider who will deliver children to

the school prior to the commencement of schooling (ie. 9.00 am) each day; if not, why not.

(3) What arrangements have been undertaken to make up for the loss of school time for the

students who miss out on schooling because of delays in bus arrivals.

(4) Does the Minister consider it acceptable and in accord with the espoused social justice

principles of his Government that children who are disadvantaged by their circumstances

should be further disadvantaged by the failure of the Government to provide a bus service

which delivers children on time to school.

(5) When will the issue of late arrivals be resolved.

MR WOOD - the answer to Mrs Carnells question is:

(1) Changes have been made to some bus routes to resolve the issue. .

(2) The current contract is in place until 1996. The department is currently investigating what

other states do to provide special needs transport. These will be considered as part of a

review of ACT services.

(3) School timetables are arranged so that core time in literacy and numeracy is not disrupted.

(4) The Government upholds social justice principles by providing a door to door service for

students with special needs. Provision is made within available resources.

(5) The situation is being monitored. New routes for 1995 will be negotiated.

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