Member for Collie-Preston Mick Murray MLA has expressed support for a new program tasked with providing further assistance to Collie’s Year 11 and 12 school students.
Last month, the WA Government announced Collie Senior High School as one of 10 regional schools across the state to receive support from Independent Learning Coordinators and Regional Learning Specialists in 2018.
Mr Murray said the initiative would provide essential careers advice and study support for students enrolled in the School of Isolated and Distance Education program.
“The ILCs will provide dedicated support to SIDE students, as well as sourcing specialised assistance for students where there is a defined need,” he said.
“A Regional Learning Specialists team in the curriculum areas of Science, Social Science, Mathematics and English will also be formed to visit regional schools and run classes for students and support the work of ILCs.
”These new initiatives will help ensure that regional and remote Year 11 and 12 students are properly supported by SIDE and will guarantee classroom time with a specialist teacher each term.”
According to the Education Department, the program, costing $9.8 million over the next four years, would send 10 ILCs and eight RLS to the 10 chosen education organisations.
Mr Murray said the government was aware of the challenges faced by regional school students compared to those in metropolitan areas.
“Regional areas have unfortunately experienced educational outcomes that are not of the same standard as metropolitan areas,” he said.
“This inequality needs to be addressed and I believe that the increased resourcing through ILCs and the RLS team will be a welcome addition to our regional schools.
“It is a first step towards keeping students focused on their learning and gaining better aggregate outcomes from areas such as Collie-Preston.”
Collie Senior High School school board chair Paul Reuben said anything that could support students with correct pathways or with exams marked a step in the right direction.
The 10 schools were chosen for having the highest SIDE student enrollment over the past two years.
What do you think of the new initiative? What do you think could be done to assist CSHS in the next school year? Email thomas.munday@fairfaxmedia.com.au
