Bid for extra class time so kids get their ration

SCHOOLS in remote Aboriginal lands would open for 48 weeks a year under a plan being considered by South Australia to boost class attendance.

SCHOOLS in remote Aboriginal lands would open for 48 weeks a year under a radical plan being considered by South Australia's Labor government to boost class attendance.

Presently, schools operate for 37 weeks a year.

The teachers union is concerned about the proposal, contained in a new schools model for the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands communities of Yalata and Oak Valley, commissioned by the Education Department.

Under the plan, developed in consultation with principals, communities and the department, schools would open for 48 weeks to help students attend the state minimum of 204 days of classes a year.

"The 48-week school year was a (department chief executive) requirement and all other aspects of the Anangu Schools Network model needed to be able to fit within this," former education official Peter Chislett said in his most recent draft report to stakeholders.

The Weatherill government has been struggling to lift attendance rates in the region. Last year, the average student at several schools missed nearly half of all classes.

Mr Chislett said the increased operating days would allow students more time to lift the number of days they attend school, while still being able to attend cultural business, which means classes can be missed for up to seven weeks a year.

But David Smith, the vice-president of the Australian Education Union's South Australian branch, said a teacher should not be expected to be at school for so many weeks.

"As a union, we have concerns about it when it comes to making sure the industrial rights of our members are preserved," Mr Smith said.

"There is a regulation on the number of days teachers and other employees have to attend school. It certainly is nowhere near 48 weeks.

"They've assured us that no individual employee will be asked to spend 48 weeks at school . . . the suggestion is a rotation and that there will be extra staffing provided."

Mr Smith said recruiting more staff to work in such remote locations could be a problem.

Education Minister Jennifer Rankine confirmed that a new model was being developed but would not say if she supported the 48-week school year.