Hon. Sally Talbot questions the Minister regarding the defunding of music and arts courses at the Great Southern Institute of Technology. The Minister confirms initial defunding but notes that some courses will continue due to community feedback.

AnsweredQoN 750Legislative Council
Asked
27 September 2012
Portfolio
Training and Workforce Development

QuestionView source ↗

GREAT SOUTHERN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY —
VISUAL ARTS AND MUSIC COURSES
750. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the minister representing the
Minister for Training and Workforce Development:
(1) Is it true
that music and arts students at the Great Southern Institute of Technology,
TAFE WA, have received notice that the courses will no longer be publicly
funded and there will be no more certificate II, III and IV and diploma music
and arts courses run at any of the GSIT campuses from January 2013?
(2) Is the
minister aware that, with the cancellation of these courses, the nearest campus
running these units is over 450 kilometres away?
(3) Will the
minister ensure that funding is maintained for the GSIT music and arts programs
and that the courses are retained in the current format; and, if not, why not?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
(1) Yes, it is
correct that students were notified that publicly funded visual arts and music
courses will not be offered in 2013. However, following community feedback, the
institute decided to offer publicly funded courses in certificates II and Ill
in visual arts and music. In addition, a small number of publicly funded places
will be made available to assist students currently enrolled in certificate IV
in visual arts and certificate IV in music to complete their qualifications.
(2) Publicly
funded courses in certificate II and III in visual arts and music will be
offered in 2013. However, there has not been sufficient demand for certificate
IV and diploma in visual arts and music courses for the institute to continue
the delivery of training.
(3) Decisions on
course offerings are made locally by the institute, with consideration of
enrolment patterns and course viability.

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