❓ A parliamentary question addresses concerns about reduced teacher assistant time in P-1 classes due to changes in kindergarten/preprimary starting age, focusing on duty of care and learning program impact. The Minister acknowledges the reduction but emphasizes the teacher's primary responsibility for student safety and learning.
AnsweredQoN 908Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
TEACHER ASSISTANTS, P-1 CLASSES
I refer to the concerns raised by the union covering teacher assistants, the Western Australian Council of State School Organisations and the State School Teachers Union of Western Australia about the duty of care and implementation of effective early childhood programs with the reduction of teacher assistant time, due to the change of starting age for kindergarten and preprimary schoolchildren. (1) Can the minister advise what the process is for the allocation of teacher assistants for P-1 classes? (2) Is it true some that P-1 classes will be without a teacher assistant for part of the day? (3) If so, how will the minister ensure that the duty of care and the learning program will not be affected by the staff reduction? Hon G.T. GIFFARD
I refer to the concerns raised by the union covering teacher assistants, the Western Australian Council of State School Organisations and the State School Teachers Union of Western Australia about the duty of care and implementation of effective early childhood programs with the reduction of teacher assistant time, due to the change of starting age for kindergarten and preprimary schoolchildren. (1) Can the minister advise what the process is for the allocation of teacher assistants for P-1 classes? (2) Is it true some that P-1 classes will be without a teacher assistant for part of the day? (3) If so, how will the minister ensure that the duty of care and the learning program will not be affected by the staff reduction? Hon G.T. GIFFARD
AnswerView source ↗
(1) Education assistant time is allocated to P-1 classes on a sliding scale depending on the number of preprimary children enrolled in the class. If a class has between two and seven preprimary children, 0.3 education assistant time will be allocated; for eight to 14 preprimary children, 0.6 education time will be allocated; and for 15 or more preprimary children, 1.1 education assistant time will be allocated. (2) Yes. (3) As with all classes, regardless of the year level, the teacher is responsible for ensuring students’ safety and welfare, given the higher standard of duty of care obligation on teachers. A duty of care obligation does not automatically arise for education assistants because their relationship and responsibility for the safety and welfare of students is not as direct. The role descriptors for an education assistant provide only that an education assistant may assist the teacher with the general care and wellbeing of students and assist the teacher with the care and supervision of students. The learning program is the responsibility of the classroom teacher and will continue to be planned and implemented by the teacher. The ratio of children to education assistants will not change in 2002. The PRESIDENT: Those two members who did not get the call today will be given priority tomorrow after the Leader of the Opposition.
(1) Can the minister advise what the process is for the allocation of teacher assistants for P-1 classes? (2) Is it true some that P-1 classes will be without a teacher assistant for part of the day? (3) If so, how will the minister ensure that the duty of care and the learning program will not be affected by the staff reduction? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: (1) Education assistant time is allocated to P-1 classes on a sliding scale depending on the number of preprimary children enrolled in the class. If a class has between two and seven preprimary children, 0.3 education assistant time will be allocated; for eight to 14 preprimary children, 0.6 education time will be allocated; and for 15 or more preprimary children, 1.1 education assistant time will be allocated. (2) Yes. (3) As with all classes, regardless of the year level, the teacher is responsible for ensuring students’ safety and welfare, given the higher standard of duty of care obligation on teachers. A duty of care obligation does not automatically arise for education assistants because their relationship and responsibility for the safety and welfare of students is not as direct. The role descriptors for an education assistant provide only that an education assistant may assist the teacher with the general care and wellbeing of students and assist the teacher with the care and supervision of students. The learning program is the responsibility of the classroom teacher and will continue to be planned and implemented by the teacher. The ratio of children to education assistants will not change in 2002. The PRESIDENT: Those two members who did not get the call today will be given priority tomorrow after the Leader of the Opposition.
(2) Is it true some that P-1 classes will be without a teacher assistant for part of the day? (3) If so, how will the minister ensure that the duty of care and the learning program will not be affected by the staff reduction? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: (1) Education assistant time is allocated to P-1 classes on a sliding scale depending on the number of preprimary children enrolled in the class. If a class has between two and seven preprimary children, 0.3 education assistant time will be allocated; for eight to 14 preprimary children, 0.6 education time will be allocated; and for 15 or more preprimary children, 1.1 education assistant time will be allocated. (2) Yes. (3) As with all classes, regardless of the year level, the teacher is responsible for ensuring students’ safety and welfare, given the higher standard of duty of care obligation on teachers. A duty of care obligation does not automatically arise for education assistants because their relationship and responsibility for the safety and welfare of students is not as direct. The role descriptors for an education assistant provide only that an education assistant may assist the teacher with the general care and wellbeing of students and assist the teacher with the care and supervision of students. The learning program is the responsibility of the classroom teacher and will continue to be planned and implemented by the teacher. The ratio of children to education assistants will not change in 2002. The PRESIDENT: Those two members who did not get the call today will be given priority tomorrow after the Leader of the Opposition.
(3) If so, how will the minister ensure that the duty of care and the learning program will not be affected by the staff reduction? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: (1) Education assistant time is allocated to P-1 classes on a sliding scale depending on the number of preprimary children enrolled in the class. If a class has between two and seven preprimary children, 0.3 education assistant time will be allocated; for eight to 14 preprimary children, 0.6 education time will be allocated; and for 15 or more preprimary children, 1.1 education assistant time will be allocated. (2) Yes. (3) As with all classes, regardless of the year level, the teacher is responsible for ensuring students’ safety and welfare, given the higher standard of duty of care obligation on teachers. A duty of care obligation does not automatically arise for education assistants because their relationship and responsibility for the safety and welfare of students is not as direct. The role descriptors for an education assistant provide only that an education assistant may assist the teacher with the general care and wellbeing of students and assist the teacher with the care and supervision of students. The learning program is the responsibility of the classroom teacher and will continue to be planned and implemented by the teacher. The ratio of children to education assistants will not change in 2002. The PRESIDENT: Those two members who did not get the call today will be given priority tomorrow after the Leader of the Opposition.
Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: (1) Education assistant time is allocated to P-1 classes on a sliding scale depending on the number of preprimary children enrolled in the class. If a class has between two and seven preprimary children, 0.3 education assistant time will be allocated; for eight to 14 preprimary children, 0.6 education time will be allocated; and for 15 or more preprimary children, 1.1 education assistant time will be allocated. (2) Yes. (3) As with all classes, regardless of the year level, the teacher is responsible for ensuring students’ safety and welfare, given the higher standard of duty of care obligation on teachers. A duty of care obligation does not automatically arise for education assistants because their relationship and responsibility for the safety and welfare of students is not as direct. The role descriptors for an education assistant provide only that an education assistant may assist the teacher with the general care and wellbeing of students and assist the teacher with the care and supervision of students. The learning program is the responsibility of the classroom teacher and will continue to be planned and implemented by the teacher. The ratio of children to education assistants will not change in 2002. The PRESIDENT: Those two members who did not get the call today will be given priority tomorrow after the Leader of the Opposition.
(1) Education assistant time is allocated to P-1 classes on a sliding scale depending on the number of preprimary children enrolled in the class. If a class has between two and seven preprimary children, 0.3 education assistant time will be allocated; for eight to 14 preprimary children, 0.6 education time will be allocated; and for 15 or more preprimary children, 1.1 education assistant time will be allocated. (2) Yes. (3) As with all classes, regardless of the year level, the teacher is responsible for ensuring students’ safety and welfare, given the higher standard of duty of care obligation on teachers. A duty of care obligation does not automatically arise for education assistants because their relationship and responsibility for the safety and welfare of students is not as direct. The role descriptors for an education assistant provide only that an education assistant may assist the teacher with the general care and wellbeing of students and assist the teacher with the care and supervision of students. The learning program is the responsibility of the classroom teacher and will continue to be planned and implemented by the teacher. The ratio of children to education assistants will not change in 2002. The PRESIDENT: Those two members who did not get the call today will be given priority tomorrow after the Leader of the Opposition.
(2) Yes. (3) As with all classes, regardless of the year level, the teacher is responsible for ensuring students’ safety and welfare, given the higher standard of duty of care obligation on teachers. A duty of care obligation does not automatically arise for education assistants because their relationship and responsibility for the safety and welfare of students is not as direct. The role descriptors for an education assistant provide only that an education assistant may assist the teacher with the general care and wellbeing of students and assist the teacher with the care and supervision of students. The learning program is the responsibility of the classroom teacher and will continue to be planned and implemented by the teacher. The ratio of children to education assistants will not change in 2002. The PRESIDENT: Those two members who did not get the call today will be given priority tomorrow after the Leader of the Opposition.
(3) As with all classes, regardless of the year level, the teacher is responsible for ensuring students’ safety and welfare, given the higher standard of duty of care obligation on teachers. A duty of care obligation does not automatically arise for education assistants because their relationship and responsibility for the safety and welfare of students is not as direct. The role descriptors for an education assistant provide only that an education assistant may assist the teacher with the general care and wellbeing of students and assist the teacher with the care and supervision of students. The learning program is the responsibility of the classroom teacher and will continue to be planned and implemented by the teacher. The ratio of children to education assistants will not change in 2002. The PRESIDENT: Those two members who did not get the call today will be given priority tomorrow after the Leader of the Opposition.
The PRESIDENT: Those two members who did not get the call today will be given priority tomorrow after the Leader of the Opposition.
(1) Can the minister advise what the process is for the allocation of teacher assistants for P-1 classes? (2) Is it true some that P-1 classes will be without a teacher assistant for part of the day? (3) If so, how will the minister ensure that the duty of care and the learning program will not be affected by the staff reduction? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: (1) Education assistant time is allocated to P-1 classes on a sliding scale depending on the number of preprimary children enrolled in the class. If a class has between two and seven preprimary children, 0.3 education assistant time will be allocated; for eight to 14 preprimary children, 0.6 education time will be allocated; and for 15 or more preprimary children, 1.1 education assistant time will be allocated. (2) Yes. (3) As with all classes, regardless of the year level, the teacher is responsible for ensuring students’ safety and welfare, given the higher standard of duty of care obligation on teachers. A duty of care obligation does not automatically arise for education assistants because their relationship and responsibility for the safety and welfare of students is not as direct. The role descriptors for an education assistant provide only that an education assistant may assist the teacher with the general care and wellbeing of students and assist the teacher with the care and supervision of students. The learning program is the responsibility of the classroom teacher and will continue to be planned and implemented by the teacher. The ratio of children to education assistants will not change in 2002. The PRESIDENT: Those two members who did not get the call today will be given priority tomorrow after the Leader of the Opposition.
(2) Is it true some that P-1 classes will be without a teacher assistant for part of the day? (3) If so, how will the minister ensure that the duty of care and the learning program will not be affected by the staff reduction? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: (1) Education assistant time is allocated to P-1 classes on a sliding scale depending on the number of preprimary children enrolled in the class. If a class has between two and seven preprimary children, 0.3 education assistant time will be allocated; for eight to 14 preprimary children, 0.6 education time will be allocated; and for 15 or more preprimary children, 1.1 education assistant time will be allocated. (2) Yes. (3) As with all classes, regardless of the year level, the teacher is responsible for ensuring students’ safety and welfare, given the higher standard of duty of care obligation on teachers. A duty of care obligation does not automatically arise for education assistants because their relationship and responsibility for the safety and welfare of students is not as direct. The role descriptors for an education assistant provide only that an education assistant may assist the teacher with the general care and wellbeing of students and assist the teacher with the care and supervision of students. The learning program is the responsibility of the classroom teacher and will continue to be planned and implemented by the teacher. The ratio of children to education assistants will not change in 2002. The PRESIDENT: Those two members who did not get the call today will be given priority tomorrow after the Leader of the Opposition.
(3) If so, how will the minister ensure that the duty of care and the learning program will not be affected by the staff reduction? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: (1) Education assistant time is allocated to P-1 classes on a sliding scale depending on the number of preprimary children enrolled in the class. If a class has between two and seven preprimary children, 0.3 education assistant time will be allocated; for eight to 14 preprimary children, 0.6 education time will be allocated; and for 15 or more preprimary children, 1.1 education assistant time will be allocated. (2) Yes. (3) As with all classes, regardless of the year level, the teacher is responsible for ensuring students’ safety and welfare, given the higher standard of duty of care obligation on teachers. A duty of care obligation does not automatically arise for education assistants because their relationship and responsibility for the safety and welfare of students is not as direct. The role descriptors for an education assistant provide only that an education assistant may assist the teacher with the general care and wellbeing of students and assist the teacher with the care and supervision of students. The learning program is the responsibility of the classroom teacher and will continue to be planned and implemented by the teacher. The ratio of children to education assistants will not change in 2002. The PRESIDENT: Those two members who did not get the call today will be given priority tomorrow after the Leader of the Opposition.
Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: (1) Education assistant time is allocated to P-1 classes on a sliding scale depending on the number of preprimary children enrolled in the class. If a class has between two and seven preprimary children, 0.3 education assistant time will be allocated; for eight to 14 preprimary children, 0.6 education time will be allocated; and for 15 or more preprimary children, 1.1 education assistant time will be allocated. (2) Yes. (3) As with all classes, regardless of the year level, the teacher is responsible for ensuring students’ safety and welfare, given the higher standard of duty of care obligation on teachers. A duty of care obligation does not automatically arise for education assistants because their relationship and responsibility for the safety and welfare of students is not as direct. The role descriptors for an education assistant provide only that an education assistant may assist the teacher with the general care and wellbeing of students and assist the teacher with the care and supervision of students. The learning program is the responsibility of the classroom teacher and will continue to be planned and implemented by the teacher. The ratio of children to education assistants will not change in 2002. The PRESIDENT: Those two members who did not get the call today will be given priority tomorrow after the Leader of the Opposition.
(1) Education assistant time is allocated to P-1 classes on a sliding scale depending on the number of preprimary children enrolled in the class. If a class has between two and seven preprimary children, 0.3 education assistant time will be allocated; for eight to 14 preprimary children, 0.6 education time will be allocated; and for 15 or more preprimary children, 1.1 education assistant time will be allocated. (2) Yes. (3) As with all classes, regardless of the year level, the teacher is responsible for ensuring students’ safety and welfare, given the higher standard of duty of care obligation on teachers. A duty of care obligation does not automatically arise for education assistants because their relationship and responsibility for the safety and welfare of students is not as direct. The role descriptors for an education assistant provide only that an education assistant may assist the teacher with the general care and wellbeing of students and assist the teacher with the care and supervision of students. The learning program is the responsibility of the classroom teacher and will continue to be planned and implemented by the teacher. The ratio of children to education assistants will not change in 2002. The PRESIDENT: Those two members who did not get the call today will be given priority tomorrow after the Leader of the Opposition.
(2) Yes. (3) As with all classes, regardless of the year level, the teacher is responsible for ensuring students’ safety and welfare, given the higher standard of duty of care obligation on teachers. A duty of care obligation does not automatically arise for education assistants because their relationship and responsibility for the safety and welfare of students is not as direct. The role descriptors for an education assistant provide only that an education assistant may assist the teacher with the general care and wellbeing of students and assist the teacher with the care and supervision of students. The learning program is the responsibility of the classroom teacher and will continue to be planned and implemented by the teacher. The ratio of children to education assistants will not change in 2002. The PRESIDENT: Those two members who did not get the call today will be given priority tomorrow after the Leader of the Opposition.
(3) As with all classes, regardless of the year level, the teacher is responsible for ensuring students’ safety and welfare, given the higher standard of duty of care obligation on teachers. A duty of care obligation does not automatically arise for education assistants because their relationship and responsibility for the safety and welfare of students is not as direct. The role descriptors for an education assistant provide only that an education assistant may assist the teacher with the general care and wellbeing of students and assist the teacher with the care and supervision of students. The learning program is the responsibility of the classroom teacher and will continue to be planned and implemented by the teacher. The ratio of children to education assistants will not change in 2002. The PRESIDENT: Those two members who did not get the call today will be given priority tomorrow after the Leader of the Opposition.
The PRESIDENT: Those two members who did not get the call today will be given priority tomorrow after the Leader of the Opposition.
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