Page 1435 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 6 April 2011

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Bimberi Youth Justice Centre—students with a disability

MR DOSZPOT: My question is to the Minister for Education and Training. Minister, a number of students at the Murrumbidgee Education and Training Centre at the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre are classed as students with a disability. What are the criteria by which students are classed as having a disability for the purpose of education and training at Murrumbidgee?

MR BARR: There is a student-centred appraisal of need process, the SCAN process, to assess levels of disability for students so there are appropriate support packages. I understand that the shadow minister would be well aware of that.

MR SPEAKER: Mr Doszpot, a supplementary?

MR DOSZPOT: Minister, what support and training is provided to teachers and trainers at Murrumbidgee to equip them with the skills and resources they need to teach students with disabilities who attend Murrumbidgee?

MR BARR: The same skills development opportunities that are available for all teachers within the ACT system.

MRS DUNNE: A supplementary question, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mrs Dunne.

MRS DUNNE: Minister, what special support services are provided to students with a disability who attend Murrumbidgee Education and Training Centre, and can you assure the Assembly that a SCAN process has been conducted on all children at the Murrumbidgee education centre?

MR BARR: Obviously, I would have to take advice from the department in relation to every student. There have been more than 70 students, I understand, educated through that centre in 2010. In any given week, there can be up to 30 or thereabouts within the program. I am obviously not in a position now to be able to ascertain the individual status of each of those students, but I can seek some advice on that. In relation to the first part of the member’s question, the Murrumbidgee education centre is quite extensively resourced, given the student population. In fact, one would imagine that the student-teacher ratio at that particular centre would be the lowest, or equal lowest, of any education setting in the territory.

MRS DUNNE: A supplementary question, Mr Speaker?

MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mrs Dunne.

MRS DUNNE: Minister, what say or input do the families of students with disabilities who attend the Murrumbidgee education centre have in relation to the education and the curriculum areas covered in the education provided?

MR BARR: Every student has an individual learning plan.


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