Page 3924 - Week 13 - Thursday, 17 October 1991
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
Before School Care
MR MOORE: Mr Speaker, my question is also directed to the Minister for Education, since he has been up and down on his feet today. It is a good change to see that we can get some answers. What are the responsibilities of schools in looking after children prior to starting times? Obviously, this ought not require extra duties for teaching staff, so what is being done to encourage after school care-style facilities where that is appropriate?
MR WOOD: I suppose you mean "after school care" before school.
Mr Moore: Exactly. They call it "afters"; maybe they will call this "befores".
MR WOOD: Maybe they should call it "befores". The matter of caring for children before school is a vexed one. Teachers, I believe, are now expected to keep a brief on children. Close supervision is not always required, although I want to point out, Mr Moore, that I will get back to you with precise legal requirements. I know that, in schools in which I have taught, we kept a watch on children. We were aware of what was happening, but it was not necessarily as structured a supervision as occurred during the school day.
Technically, as I understand it, children do not become the responsibility of the schools until they arrive at school, and then there is some question of when that starts. But the main point that you raise is the question of before school care. It is an important issue. It is one that does need attention. I am aware of a number of schools where the after school group has endeavoured to do this, though I am not aware of any school where that has been successfully developed. It is a procedure that I would do all that I could to assist.
Handyhelp Home Help Service
DR KINLOCH: My question is directed to Mr Connolly, Minister for Community Services. It is alleged by a client of the Handyhelp home help service that the home help service has closed its books due to lack of funds. I cannot vouch for that at all. I wonder whether the Minister could bring us up to date on that.
MR CONNOLLY: It is an allegation that I am unaware of. I will certainly have it fully investigated and respond to the house or to Dr Kinloch directly.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .