Dubbo College: Parents launch petition against secondary public education in Dubbo

Parents in a regional city have launched a grassroots campaign to fight for their right to choose the education of their children. Here’s what it means for students.

Dubbo College, Delroy Campus.

Parents have launched an online petition directed toward a public school in the state’s central west – labelling the educational structure at the school a “failed experiment”.

Dubbo College is a multi-campus secondary school providing education at Delroy Campus, South Campus and Senior Campus Students.

The Delroy and South campuses provide education for students from Year 7 to Year 10 before transitioning to Senior Campus for Year 11 and 12.

Parents have argued that transitioning students to a second campus to continue their education is stressful and leading to poor retention rates.

Dubbo resident Adam Bush shared the petition to an online group on behalf of his friend who has children attending the campuses, telling The Dubbo News there is a “link between crime and education”.

The petition was created on Friday to raise awareness of parents who are not satisfied with the education system provided in Dubbo.

Dubbo College South Campus. Picture: Ryan Young

With Dubbo College being the only public secondary school in the Dubbo region, Mr Bush claims students are not provided a “fair opportunity” to select which schooling system they want to be educated by.

“Not everyone has money to send their kids to a private school - kids moving campuses all the time doesn’t help them,” Mr Bush said.

He said that the whole process of enrolling again is such “a big effort” for some students and their families that it is easier to not continue education.

Arguing the school “contributed” to the youth crime rates in Dubbo, Mr Bush said children who drop out and are not motivated to work or continue their education are likely to commit petty crimes.

The petition argued the school contributed to youth crime with dropouts, academic achievement, school engagement and other factors.

A NSW Department of Education spokesman told The Dubbo News the studies cited in the petition are “centered on schools in the US and do not accurately reflect outcomes in NSW schools”.

“NSW Department of Education schools work closely with parents and relevant groups such as the Police and Community Youth Clubs to support vulnerable students,” the spokesman said.

“Police liaison officers are also available to provide advice and support to secondary schools delivering crime prevention programs.

“Youth crime is a layered, community wide issue.”

Labor Dubbo councillor and former Dubbo College teacher Joshua Black said the college educational system has been a “failed educational experiment”.

Dubbo Regional Council councillor Joshua Black

“There’s a lack of choice for parents and caregivers, being that there is no Year 7 to 12 comprehensive high school in town,” Cr Black said.

Mr Black said there is a “problem with students transitioning from junior to senior campuses which results in them dropping out” following his time working at the school.

“You hear about the behavioural problems all the time from junior campuses.

“If students stayed in a familiar setting through to Year 12, they probably wouldn’t leave and drop out of school - I think there would be a higher retention rate.”

Cr Black said he has not drawn a link between crime and the college system, but agrees the transitioning between campuses could have a potential impact on students and crime.