[Greens-Media] TasGreens_Flexible Schools Program To Close_N McKim MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

NORTHERN SUPPORT SCHOOL FLEXIBLE PROGRAM TO CLOSE ON MAY 30 
Risk to Literacy and Numeracy Levels
Tasmanian Greens MP Nick McKim
Deputy Leader and Shadow Education Spokesperson 
Monday, 28 April 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233 8300
www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today expressed concern at Education Department funding changes have resulted in the closure of the Northern Support Schools Flexible Programs, based at the Ravenswood campus, from the end of the first school term on May 30.
Greens Deputy leader and Shadow Education spokesperson Nick McKim MP said that the loss of the highly successful program, which provided assistance to approximately 200 students per year in northern Tasmania, is a blow for students and teachers. 
"This program provides invaluable assistance for students who are struggling, and has resulted in many students being able to reintegrate back into their home school with a renewed focus for learning," Mr McKim said. 
"Investing in education is the best money a government can spend, and unless Minister Bartlett takes control of this situation we risk seeing reduced outcomes for some of our kids who most need learning assistance."
"This program improved literacy and numeracy outcomes, and successfully built self-esteem in many students, and it is unacceptable that it has been forced to close by a government which professes to want outcomes in those areas."
"Currently the Northern Support School runs a number of programs which provide assistance to children with learning difficulties in areas like basic literacy and numeracy, wood and metal work, gardening and the Cool Cats Café program, and these will be lost due to the closure forced by Departmental funding changes."
Mr McKim said that the changes in the Department's funding model have meant that the cost for individual schools increased from about $320.00 per term per student to around $3200.00, and that as a result many schools that were participating in the program could no longer afford to do so.
"At a time when the Premier has said that strong literacy and numeracy skills are vital to future workforce participation, it is extraordinary that extra support is not being given to a program which has delivered excellent outcomes in these areas," Mr McKim said.