Legislative Council, Thursday 27 October 2022

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

Year 11 and 12 students have experienced significant disruption to their learning over the last two years related to COVID-19. The north-west based students from Burnie through to the Circular Head regions are being significantly impacted as a result of the recent damage to the Cam River Bridge and long travel times. These students are entering the last couple of weeks of face-to-face learning and teaching, which is vital for many of these students.

Noting they have tests scheduled this week and exams commencing on 8 November at set and inflexible times, what specific support is being provided to Year 11 and 12 students and their families to ensure the students are not further disadvantaged by the significant travel delays of up to 2.5 hours each way to school for classes, tutoring and doing exams when students have little choice but to travel at peak times?

ANSWER

I apologise for a little repetition in this answer but I will go through it in case someone reads it back from Hansard.

The Department for Education, Children and Young People is working closely with the Department of State Growth to minimise disruption to learning and to support families. School bus services have been prioritised and families are being encouraged to support students to travel via bus services as the students travelling via their services are experiencing reduced delays.

Free priority bus services are also now operating across the Cam River Bridge and the public is encouraged to use these services if possible while repair work is completed on the bridge. This will help to reduce the number of vehicles queueing and decrease travel times for everyone.

If a student is unable to utilise the bus transport provided or attend school due to the traffic issues, parents and carers are encouraged to contact their school to discuss the options most suitable to their individual circumstances. Where required, schools are working with affected families regarding options to support their child to learn from home. Schools have a range of options for the provision of online or off campus learning. One of the options open to schools and families includes accessing online learning using the Virtual Learning Centre which provides rich learning opportunities suitable for the home environment.

The Department for Education, Children and Young People is in consultation with PASC regarding contingencies for exams should this be required. Schools have been communicating with families using their existing communication channels, for example, newsletters, social media and the kind.