QLD Families alarmed - Queensland Collective for Inclusive Education

16 Nov 2017 5:19 PM

MEDIA RELEASE for QLD COLLECTIVE FOR INCLUSIVE EDUCATION:

QLD STATE ELECTION 2017

Queensland parents are deeply alarmed by the announcement that a re-elected Palaszczuk Government will commit $33 million dollars to build a new Special School in the Caboolture region – and an additional 6 million in upgrades to the existing special school.

The Labor Party’s 2017 Election Policy on education for students with disability states a commitment to “an inclusive education for all students” but these parents claim that there is a poor understanding of what it takes to achieve this goal. 

 

The Qld Collective for Inclusive Education is calling on all parties to reassure Queensland families who have a member with disability that they will cease investment in segregating children with disability.

 

Mrs Sue Tape, spokesperson for the Collective, said “My daughter, Eliza, will join her peers and older brother in our local regular school for the start of the 2018 school year.  Sadly, however, we know of many families who have been directed away from their neighbourhood schools and told resources will only be available in a special school”.

 

“The Qld Collective for Inclusive Education has approached candidates across Queensland asking them to pledge their commitment to the rights of students to an inclusive education as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability, and to approaches which are based on the evidence of what works for students with disability – which is inclusive, not segregated education.

 

We commend the current Government on some significant initiatives towards genuine inclusion; establishing the Disability and Inclusion Branch and the Autism Hub and Reading Centre, employing inclusion coaches and investing in training and resource development.  

It is therefore very perplexing as to why, alongside this welcome progress, they would commit almost $40 million to build and upgrade more segregated settings in one district. We are concerned that this direction of resources will leave those families seeking inclusive education less likely to find the support, resources and welcome at their local school.”

The Queensland Collective for Inclusive Education is a group of families who promote inclusive lives for our children with disability and work together to make inclusive schools a reality for all.

 

Our call to parties is available on our FB page.  Contact Sue Tape:  Mobile: 0424603892

Email: suetape@yahoo.com/ Hello QCFIE qldcollectiveie@gmail.com Family Photo opportunities are available.

See also: https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2017/11/mainstream-schools-discourage-inclusion-students-disability/    Other links are available on request.  

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