Tasmanian Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff says fence ‘architecture’ to be improved

UPDATED: The Education Department says no complaints have been made by carers of high-needs students about a fence around a purpose-built learning space at a Hobart high school.

Tasmanian Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff says the architecture of a fenced play area at a Hobart school will be improved. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

UPDATED: The Education Department says no complaints have been made by carers of high-needs students about a fence around a purpose-built learning space at a Hobart high school.

Concerns have been raised over a recently constructed lockable fenced play area at a northern suburbs school, which was described by one parent as a “cage”.

The Department said the fence was allowing a small number of very high-needs students from across the region to access the outdoors in a safe environment.

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“The current fencing style was chosen to match the existing fencing of the school, to help students feel included in the school environment,” a statement said.

“Although the need for the fence is not in question, feedback has been received regarding the appearance of the fence and proposed alterations are currently being shared for consultation.

“Work on the fence is expected to be completed during the Term 1 holiday break. Changes to the fence will not compromise the learning space’s safety.

“It is important to note that no complaints have been made by carers of students who utilise this space.

“In fact at every stage of the planning and construction process consultation has occurred with parents, medical professionals, including paediatricians, psychologists and occupational therapists, disability advocates and the students themselves where possible.”

The Department said children involved in the individualised learning programs did not include students from the school where the program was housed.

EARLIER: Tasmanian Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff has dodged a question on whether he thinks segregation of autistic children in schools is appropriate or not.

Minister Rockliff also said he couldn’t describe a fence constructed recently at a high school in Hobart’s northern suburbs understood to be for high-needs children with autism.

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But, in an interview with ABC Radio this morning Mr Rockliff said the “architecture of the fence” would be improved.

It was revealed this morning a Hobart high school had constructed a lockable fenced play area for several high-needs students with autism on individualised learning programs.

One parent told the ABC it risked “taking away from their humanity” and described the area as a cage.

Mr Rockliff said the State Government had worked very hard in the area over the past few years.

“We have specialist schools around Tasmania in our three regions when it comes to autism,” he said.

“Next year we’re rolling out our new funding model for disability, which applies the resource to the students based on their need.

“It’s more funding and that’s a good thing for families and students with disabilities. Where there is a need the resource will be applied to the student.

“We have a very inclusive environment when it comes to our education and our schools are very inclusive environments, and so they should be.”