Hon. Murray Criddle raises concerns about cancelled swimming lessons in Merredin due to a lack of instructors. Hon. Ljiljanna Ravlich assures action is being taken, including instructor training and course reviews.

AnsweredQoN 896Legislative Council
Asked
16 November 2005
Portfolio
Education and Training

QuestionView source ↗

The “2002 Western Australian Drowning Report” states that 48 per cent of drownings occurred in rural or remote areas. (1) Is the minister aware that there is a problem with a lack of swimming instructors in the town of Merredin, resulting in swimming lessons for preprimary to year 3 students being cancelled in term 4 this year? (2) If so, can the minister advise what plans are in progress to ensure that the predicted cancellation of lessons across even more students in 2006 will not occur? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) The Department of Education and Training will continue to liaise with local Merredin schools on this matter. A course for swimming instructors is being held in Merredin this term. As a result, more local residents should be qualified as swimming instructors and available in 2006. Together with training providers, the department will also review training courses in country areas to ensure courses are scheduled to maximise the opportunity for local residents to qualify as swimming instructors. We are on to it.
(1) Is the minister aware that there is a problem with a lack of swimming instructors in the town of Merredin, resulting in swimming lessons for preprimary to year 3 students being cancelled in term 4 this year? (2) If so, can the minister advise what plans are in progress to ensure that the predicted cancellation of lessons across even more students in 2006 will not occur? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) The Department of Education and Training will continue to liaise with local Merredin schools on this matter. A course for swimming instructors is being held in Merredin this term. As a result, more local residents should be qualified as swimming instructors and available in 2006. Together with training providers, the department will also review training courses in country areas to ensure courses are scheduled to maximise the opportunity for local residents to qualify as swimming instructors. We are on to it.
(2) If so, can the minister advise what plans are in progress to ensure that the predicted cancellation of lessons across even more students in 2006 will not occur? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) The Department of Education and Training will continue to liaise with local Merredin schools on this matter. A course for swimming instructors is being held in Merredin this term. As a result, more local residents should be qualified as swimming instructors and available in 2006. Together with training providers, the department will also review training courses in country areas to ensure courses are scheduled to maximise the opportunity for local residents to qualify as swimming instructors. We are on to it.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) The Department of Education and Training will continue to liaise with local Merredin schools on this matter. A course for swimming instructors is being held in Merredin this term. As a result, more local residents should be qualified as swimming instructors and available in 2006. Together with training providers, the department will also review training courses in country areas to ensure courses are scheduled to maximise the opportunity for local residents to qualify as swimming instructors. We are on to it.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) The Department of Education and Training will continue to liaise with local Merredin schools on this matter. A course for swimming instructors is being held in Merredin this term. As a result, more local residents should be qualified as swimming instructors and available in 2006. Together with training providers, the department will also review training courses in country areas to ensure courses are scheduled to maximise the opportunity for local residents to qualify as swimming instructors. We are on to it.
(1) Yes. (2) The Department of Education and Training will continue to liaise with local Merredin schools on this matter. A course for swimming instructors is being held in Merredin this term. As a result, more local residents should be qualified as swimming instructors and available in 2006. Together with training providers, the department will also review training courses in country areas to ensure courses are scheduled to maximise the opportunity for local residents to qualify as swimming instructors. We are on to it.
(2) The Department of Education and Training will continue to liaise with local Merredin schools on this matter. A course for swimming instructors is being held in Merredin this term. As a result, more local residents should be qualified as swimming instructors and available in 2006. Together with training providers, the department will also review training courses in country areas to ensure courses are scheduled to maximise the opportunity for local residents to qualify as swimming instructors. We are on to it.
We are on to it.

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