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❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the privatisation of camp schools and the performance/oversight of Fairbridge's management of these schools. The Minister disputes the premise of the question but provides some data and information.

AnsweredQoN 5440Legislative Assembly

Asked

5 September 2019

Member

Mr D.T. Redman

Portfolio

Education and Training

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the Minister's decision to privatise camp schools, and ask: (a) Has the Department of Education completed any assessments of the performance of Fairbridge in respect to key performance indicators for their management of the camp schools under their control: (i) If so, will the Minister table these assessments; (b) Will the Minister table the numbers of school children who have utilised the camp school services each year since March 2017, and including 2019 to date: (i) If not, will the Minister table the numbers of school children who have utlilised the camp schools whilst under the control of Fairbridge; (c) When is the next assessment of the performance of the agreement the government has in place with Fairbridge; (d) Will the Minister table the capital works projects and their respective stages of progress that formed a part of the original deal with Fairbridge; (e) How many staff that work at the various camp schools live in the local communities for which they operate; and (f) How many total employees work across the camp schools that come under the control of Fairbridge: (i) Will the minister table the numbers for each site?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

15 October 2019

Responded by

Minister representing the Minister for Education and Training

Response time

7 days

I don’t accept the premise of the question
(a) No.
(i) Not applicable.
(b) 12 898 school children stayed overnight at the six camp school sites during 2017. There is no data for 2018. As part of the transition process, all camp school records were collected and archived so, while it may be possible to collate occupancy data for 2018, it would be a time-consuming exercise requiring an unreasonable diversion of Department of Education resources. Fairbridge will provide its occupancy data relating to the 2019 calendar year in early 2020.
(ii)Not applicable.
(c) Fairbridge is required to submit information, which includes the number of Department of Education schools and students attending the campsites and the rates charged to Department of Education schools and students, within 30 days of the conclusion of each calendar year. The Department anticipates receiving this information early in 2020.
(d) Capital works undertaken as part of the handover to Fairbridge:
Camp Site
Scope of Works
Status
Bridgetown
Upgrade Fire Detection System
complete
Kalgoorlie
Upgrade electrical switch board
complete
Kalgoorlie
Supply and install new grease pit
complete
Dampier
Upgrade electrical switch board
complete
Point Peron
Bushfire upgrade works
complete
Point Peron
Repair irrigation pump
complete
Point Peron
Under batten plaster glass ceilings
complete
Point Peron
Demolition of old classroom - works are to be completed by Fairbridge. The Department has agreed to contribute toward the capital costs.
ongoing
Pemberton, Point Peron, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Dampier
Upgrade Fire Detection System – works are to be completed by Fairbridge. The Department has agreed to contribute toward the capital costs.
ongoing
(e) The Department does not have access to this information. None of the staff who work at the camp sites run by Fairbridge WA are Department of Education employees.
(f) The Department does not have access to this information. None of the staff who work at the camp sites run by Fairbridge WA are Department of Education employees.
(i)Not applicable.

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