❓ The Minister for Education addresses concerns about Collie students facing high transport costs to attend Manea Senior College due to program availability, highlighting policy disconnects and ongoing efforts to find a resolution with the Department of Transport.
AnsweredQoN 147Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
COLLIE SCHOOL STUDENTS — TRANSPORT COSTS
I refer to reports that students in Collie will have to pay up to $80 per week to travel to school. (1) When was the minister first made aware of this issue? (2) What actions has the minister taken to address the issue? (3) Is the minister aware of any other example in WA of students who have been refused transport concessions? Dr E. CONSTABLE
I refer to reports that students in Collie will have to pay up to $80 per week to travel to school. (1) When was the minister first made aware of this issue? (2) What actions has the minister taken to address the issue? (3) Is the minister aware of any other example in WA of students who have been refused transport concessions? Dr E. CONSTABLE
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I thank the member for Collie–Preston for his question. The matter that he has raised is very serious. I visited Collie Senior High School with him some months ago. There are very good programs there. It turns out that some students want to go to Manea Senior College because some of the programs offered there are not offered at Collie. I understand that, in the main, those students are bypassing Collie Senior High School to go to Manea. In that case there is a disconnect between the policies of the Department of Education and the Department of Transport. The Department of Transport’s policy is that students should attend the school that is closest to where they live. With students now required to stay on in years 11 and 12 to either partake in an academic program or a vocational education and training program, more and more students are attending schools that are not the schools closest to where they live. I became aware of this only a couple of weeks ago. I understand that my office has been working with the Department of Transport and the Minister for Transport’s office for a month or so to look for a way to resolve the problem. I do not know of any other school at which this is happening. Implied in the member’s question is the need to resolve this issue, and we are certainly looking to do that. With more and more young people staying on at school to do years 11 and 12, and with a range of courses being provided at schools that are not closest schools but are the next school, we must ensure that students have access to those programs. The transport system should not get in the way of students attending those schools. Hopefully, we will resolve the issue as soon as we can.
(1) When was the minister first made aware of this issue? (2) What actions has the minister taken to address the issue? (3) Is the minister aware of any other example in WA of students who have been refused transport concessions? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Collie–Preston for his question. The matter that he has raised is very serious. I visited Collie Senior High School with him some months ago. There are very good programs there. It turns out that some students want to go to Manea Senior College because some of the programs offered there are not offered at Collie. I understand that, in the main, those students are bypassing Collie Senior High School to go to Manea. In that case there is a disconnect between the policies of the Department of Education and the Department of Transport. The Department of Transport’s policy is that students should attend the school that is closest to where they live. With students now required to stay on in years 11 and 12 to either partake in an academic program or a vocational education and training program, more and more students are attending schools that are not the schools closest to where they live. I became aware of this only a couple of weeks ago. I understand that my office has been working with the Department of Transport and the Minister for Transport’s office for a month or so to look for a way to resolve the problem. I do not know of any other school at which this is happening. Implied in the member’s question is the need to resolve this issue, and we are certainly looking to do that. With more and more young people staying on at school to do years 11 and 12, and with a range of courses being provided at schools that are not closest schools but are the next school, we must ensure that students have access to those programs. The transport system should not get in the way of students attending those schools. Hopefully, we will resolve the issue as soon as we can.
(2) What actions has the minister taken to address the issue? (3) Is the minister aware of any other example in WA of students who have been refused transport concessions? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Collie–Preston for his question. The matter that he has raised is very serious. I visited Collie Senior High School with him some months ago. There are very good programs there. It turns out that some students want to go to Manea Senior College because some of the programs offered there are not offered at Collie. I understand that, in the main, those students are bypassing Collie Senior High School to go to Manea. In that case there is a disconnect between the policies of the Department of Education and the Department of Transport. The Department of Transport’s policy is that students should attend the school that is closest to where they live. With students now required to stay on in years 11 and 12 to either partake in an academic program or a vocational education and training program, more and more students are attending schools that are not the schools closest to where they live. I became aware of this only a couple of weeks ago. I understand that my office has been working with the Department of Transport and the Minister for Transport’s office for a month or so to look for a way to resolve the problem. I do not know of any other school at which this is happening. Implied in the member’s question is the need to resolve this issue, and we are certainly looking to do that. With more and more young people staying on at school to do years 11 and 12, and with a range of courses being provided at schools that are not closest schools but are the next school, we must ensure that students have access to those programs. The transport system should not get in the way of students attending those schools. Hopefully, we will resolve the issue as soon as we can.
(3) Is the minister aware of any other example in WA of students who have been refused transport concessions? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Collie–Preston for his question. The matter that he has raised is very serious. I visited Collie Senior High School with him some months ago. There are very good programs there. It turns out that some students want to go to Manea Senior College because some of the programs offered there are not offered at Collie. I understand that, in the main, those students are bypassing Collie Senior High School to go to Manea. In that case there is a disconnect between the policies of the Department of Education and the Department of Transport. The Department of Transport’s policy is that students should attend the school that is closest to where they live. With students now required to stay on in years 11 and 12 to either partake in an academic program or a vocational education and training program, more and more students are attending schools that are not the schools closest to where they live. I became aware of this only a couple of weeks ago. I understand that my office has been working with the Department of Transport and the Minister for Transport’s office for a month or so to look for a way to resolve the problem. I do not know of any other school at which this is happening. Implied in the member’s question is the need to resolve this issue, and we are certainly looking to do that. With more and more young people staying on at school to do years 11 and 12, and with a range of courses being provided at schools that are not closest schools but are the next school, we must ensure that students have access to those programs. The transport system should not get in the way of students attending those schools. Hopefully, we will resolve the issue as soon as we can.
Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Collie–Preston for his question. The matter that he has raised is very serious. I visited Collie Senior High School with him some months ago. There are very good programs there. It turns out that some students want to go to Manea Senior College because some of the programs offered there are not offered at Collie. I understand that, in the main, those students are bypassing Collie Senior High School to go to Manea. In that case there is a disconnect between the policies of the Department of Education and the Department of Transport. The Department of Transport’s policy is that students should attend the school that is closest to where they live. With students now required to stay on in years 11 and 12 to either partake in an academic program or a vocational education and training program, more and more students are attending schools that are not the schools closest to where they live. I became aware of this only a couple of weeks ago. I understand that my office has been working with the Department of Transport and the Minister for Transport’s office for a month or so to look for a way to resolve the problem. I do not know of any other school at which this is happening. Implied in the member’s question is the need to resolve this issue, and we are certainly looking to do that. With more and more young people staying on at school to do years 11 and 12, and with a range of courses being provided at schools that are not closest schools but are the next school, we must ensure that students have access to those programs. The transport system should not get in the way of students attending those schools. Hopefully, we will resolve the issue as soon as we can.
(1)–(3) I thank the member for Collie–Preston for his question. The matter that he has raised is very serious. I visited Collie Senior High School with him some months ago. There are very good programs there. It turns out that some students want to go to Manea Senior College because some of the programs offered there are not offered at Collie. I understand that, in the main, those students are bypassing Collie Senior High School to go to Manea. In that case there is a disconnect between the policies of the Department of Education and the Department of Transport. The Department of Transport’s policy is that students should attend the school that is closest to where they live. With students now required to stay on in years 11 and 12 to either partake in an academic program or a vocational education and training program, more and more students are attending schools that are not the schools closest to where they live. I became aware of this only a couple of weeks ago. I understand that my office has been working with the Department of Transport and the Minister for Transport’s office for a month or so to look for a way to resolve the problem. I do not know of any other school at which this is happening. Implied in the member’s question is the need to resolve this issue, and we are certainly looking to do that. With more and more young people staying on at school to do years 11 and 12, and with a range of courses being provided at schools that are not closest schools but are the next school, we must ensure that students have access to those programs. The transport system should not get in the way of students attending those schools. Hopefully, we will resolve the issue as soon as we can.
(1) When was the minister first made aware of this issue? (2) What actions has the minister taken to address the issue? (3) Is the minister aware of any other example in WA of students who have been refused transport concessions? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Collie–Preston for his question. The matter that he has raised is very serious. I visited Collie Senior High School with him some months ago. There are very good programs there. It turns out that some students want to go to Manea Senior College because some of the programs offered there are not offered at Collie. I understand that, in the main, those students are bypassing Collie Senior High School to go to Manea. In that case there is a disconnect between the policies of the Department of Education and the Department of Transport. The Department of Transport’s policy is that students should attend the school that is closest to where they live. With students now required to stay on in years 11 and 12 to either partake in an academic program or a vocational education and training program, more and more students are attending schools that are not the schools closest to where they live. I became aware of this only a couple of weeks ago. I understand that my office has been working with the Department of Transport and the Minister for Transport’s office for a month or so to look for a way to resolve the problem. I do not know of any other school at which this is happening. Implied in the member’s question is the need to resolve this issue, and we are certainly looking to do that. With more and more young people staying on at school to do years 11 and 12, and with a range of courses being provided at schools that are not closest schools but are the next school, we must ensure that students have access to those programs. The transport system should not get in the way of students attending those schools. Hopefully, we will resolve the issue as soon as we can.
(2) What actions has the minister taken to address the issue? (3) Is the minister aware of any other example in WA of students who have been refused transport concessions? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Collie–Preston for his question. The matter that he has raised is very serious. I visited Collie Senior High School with him some months ago. There are very good programs there. It turns out that some students want to go to Manea Senior College because some of the programs offered there are not offered at Collie. I understand that, in the main, those students are bypassing Collie Senior High School to go to Manea. In that case there is a disconnect between the policies of the Department of Education and the Department of Transport. The Department of Transport’s policy is that students should attend the school that is closest to where they live. With students now required to stay on in years 11 and 12 to either partake in an academic program or a vocational education and training program, more and more students are attending schools that are not the schools closest to where they live. I became aware of this only a couple of weeks ago. I understand that my office has been working with the Department of Transport and the Minister for Transport’s office for a month or so to look for a way to resolve the problem. I do not know of any other school at which this is happening. Implied in the member’s question is the need to resolve this issue, and we are certainly looking to do that. With more and more young people staying on at school to do years 11 and 12, and with a range of courses being provided at schools that are not closest schools but are the next school, we must ensure that students have access to those programs. The transport system should not get in the way of students attending those schools. Hopefully, we will resolve the issue as soon as we can.
(3) Is the minister aware of any other example in WA of students who have been refused transport concessions? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Collie–Preston for his question. The matter that he has raised is very serious. I visited Collie Senior High School with him some months ago. There are very good programs there. It turns out that some students want to go to Manea Senior College because some of the programs offered there are not offered at Collie. I understand that, in the main, those students are bypassing Collie Senior High School to go to Manea. In that case there is a disconnect between the policies of the Department of Education and the Department of Transport. The Department of Transport’s policy is that students should attend the school that is closest to where they live. With students now required to stay on in years 11 and 12 to either partake in an academic program or a vocational education and training program, more and more students are attending schools that are not the schools closest to where they live. I became aware of this only a couple of weeks ago. I understand that my office has been working with the Department of Transport and the Minister for Transport’s office for a month or so to look for a way to resolve the problem. I do not know of any other school at which this is happening. Implied in the member’s question is the need to resolve this issue, and we are certainly looking to do that. With more and more young people staying on at school to do years 11 and 12, and with a range of courses being provided at schools that are not closest schools but are the next school, we must ensure that students have access to those programs. The transport system should not get in the way of students attending those schools. Hopefully, we will resolve the issue as soon as we can.
Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Collie–Preston for his question. The matter that he has raised is very serious. I visited Collie Senior High School with him some months ago. There are very good programs there. It turns out that some students want to go to Manea Senior College because some of the programs offered there are not offered at Collie. I understand that, in the main, those students are bypassing Collie Senior High School to go to Manea. In that case there is a disconnect between the policies of the Department of Education and the Department of Transport. The Department of Transport’s policy is that students should attend the school that is closest to where they live. With students now required to stay on in years 11 and 12 to either partake in an academic program or a vocational education and training program, more and more students are attending schools that are not the schools closest to where they live. I became aware of this only a couple of weeks ago. I understand that my office has been working with the Department of Transport and the Minister for Transport’s office for a month or so to look for a way to resolve the problem. I do not know of any other school at which this is happening. Implied in the member’s question is the need to resolve this issue, and we are certainly looking to do that. With more and more young people staying on at school to do years 11 and 12, and with a range of courses being provided at schools that are not closest schools but are the next school, we must ensure that students have access to those programs. The transport system should not get in the way of students attending those schools. Hopefully, we will resolve the issue as soon as we can.
(1)–(3) I thank the member for Collie–Preston for his question. The matter that he has raised is very serious. I visited Collie Senior High School with him some months ago. There are very good programs there. It turns out that some students want to go to Manea Senior College because some of the programs offered there are not offered at Collie. I understand that, in the main, those students are bypassing Collie Senior High School to go to Manea. In that case there is a disconnect between the policies of the Department of Education and the Department of Transport. The Department of Transport’s policy is that students should attend the school that is closest to where they live. With students now required to stay on in years 11 and 12 to either partake in an academic program or a vocational education and training program, more and more students are attending schools that are not the schools closest to where they live. I became aware of this only a couple of weeks ago. I understand that my office has been working with the Department of Transport and the Minister for Transport’s office for a month or so to look for a way to resolve the problem. I do not know of any other school at which this is happening. Implied in the member’s question is the need to resolve this issue, and we are certainly looking to do that. With more and more young people staying on at school to do years 11 and 12, and with a range of courses being provided at schools that are not closest schools but are the next school, we must ensure that students have access to those programs. The transport system should not get in the way of students attending those schools. Hopefully, we will resolve the issue as soon as we can.
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