Mya Do opens petition to launch specialist secondary school in Palmerston

A Territory mum is fighting for her child’s right to a safe education as fears about the closure of specialist schools rise. How you can sign the petition.

“I just want to know that my child is going to be safe at school.”

A controversial recommendation to close specialist schools across the country has struck fear in the hearts of many parents, but hope is on the horizon for one Territory mum.

The CLP will present Mya Do’s petition to develop a specialist secondary school in Palmerston to the NT government during March sittings.

Mya Do and son Memphis Cork are petitioning for a specialist secondary school in Palmerston.

Mya Do and son Memphis Cork (bottom) are petitioning for a specialist secondary school in Palmerston.

Mya Do’s seven-year-old son Memphis – who is non-verbal and has autism – currently attends Forrest Parade School where his teachers tailor their class plans to meet his specialised needs.

But Ms Do said she was struggling to find a place for her son when he graduated primary school because the Darwin Greater Area’s only specialist secondary school – Henbury School – and Palmerston and Taminmin College’s Specialist Education Centres were at capacity.

“There are struggles getting children into schools, that is forcing people to homeschool and potentially forcing people to leave the Territory,” she said.

“Parents that have professional careers that are needed for the Territory – doctors, nurses, all these things – have to leave because there’s no way for their kids to feel safe.”

Ms Do hoped her petition would attract at least 1000 signatures and emphasise the demand for specialist schools.

Her concern follows the Disability Royal Commission’s recommendation to merge specialist and mainstream student cohorts within three decades in an effort to drive inclusivity.

“(Memphis is) high on the spectrum of autism,” she said.

“I honestly don’t know how they’re going to phase out schools that cater for this and then flood it into mainstream (schools) when they can’t even control bullying.

“I just want to know that my child is going to be safe at school.”

Opposition Education Spokesperson Jo Hersey in NT parliament. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Education Opposition Spokeswoman Jo Hersey said she believed parents “should have the choice” about where to send their kids to school.

“While some children thrive in integrated school environments, others need enhanced support and a tailored level of care to reach their full potential,” Ms Hersey said.

“Working with parents, I hope to be presenting this important petition to parliament in the March sittings.”

Education Minister Mark Monaghan said he was already working on plans to support specialist secondary education in Palmerston.

“Our government is already on record supporting a specialist secondary school in Palmerston, and I currently have a budget submission to bring this plan to fruition,” Mr Monaghan said.

“Every Territory child deserves a quality education, and it is fundamentally important every parent has a choice in their child’s education.”

The petition can be read and signed here.

Originally published as Mya Do opens petition to launch specialist secondary school in Palmerston