Parents begging for more space on campuses

Parents will meet with the Education Department next week to plead for more space at distance education schools.

SCHOOL students are still being forced to learn outside because there isn’t enough classroom space, sparking renewed calls for the State Government to resolve the “crowded” campuses.

The Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association will meet with the Education Department again next week to plead for more space at distance education schools so students don’t have to swelter outside or be ferried off campus.

President Louise Martin said Education Minister Grace Grace last year pledged one of the biggest education budgets but the ICPA was disappointed to see “very little” for remote students.

Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association Queensland President Louise Martin. Photo: Supplied

But Ms Grace said she’d been advised facilities were “currently sufficient”.

Distance education students visit their school several times a year, including for mini-schools where students get to experience learning in a classroom, and NAPLAN testing.

However some are being forced to learn outside under marquees or off campus because more teachers are being hired amid increasing enrolments and online learning pressures.

More students, who aren’t studying via distance education but want to access subjects not available at their schools, are choosing to study subjects like LOTE through distance education.

Ms Martin said enrolments were growing.

“We don’t have a problem with other students accessing online learning … the problem we do have is that our geographically isolated students’ classroom spaces are being taken up by the extra teaching staff who are being required to deliver online learning programs,” she said.

“They have no classroom when they come to school, for mini schools, sitting NAPLAN testing or other activities.

“The Education Minister pledged one of the biggest budgets.

“We were disappointed to see very little for remote students.”

Education Minister Grace Grace. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Ms Grace said her department was aware of more enrolments and increasing diversity among student cohorts, backgrounds, and learning needs.

“I am advised that facilities are currently sufficient for distance education students who only attend campus four weeks a year,” she said.

“However, the department is currently considering technology and infrastructure needs to deliver distance education.

“I encourage distance ed school principals to continue to work with the department on ways to better use their existing infrastructure, as well as negotiating with their local school network around using other local schools’ facilities for staff and student activities.”