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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1995 Week 11 Hansard (13 December) . . Page.. 2963 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

various curriculum areas; social and personal development programs; adventure education programs for school and adult groups; in-service training for teachers and other outdoor educators in Birrigai programs; earth education, natural and cultural interpretation, program and activity design, adventure education and curriculum extension through outdoor learning.

The contractor, if there is a successful one, and the Department of Education will develop a memorandum of understanding regarding the operation of the outdoor school. There are specifications for anyone who might wish to take over the management of the centre. Firstly, on the education programs, the conduct and costs relating to education programs remain the responsibility of the Department of Education and Training for the period of the contract. It is proposed that initially it will be a two-year contract. That is quite clear. In relation to access, it is being stipulated that whoever runs this centre has to take into account that the Department of Education and Training will have priority use of all education and recreation facilities during each school term from 9.00 am Monday to 4.00 pm Friday during the 38 weeks of the school year. It then sets out the school term dates for 1996 and 1997. It states that the classroom block will not be available for community use during this period. The theatrette, the discovery room and the storerooms in this building will be for the exclusive use of the Department of Education and Training.

The specifications go on to indicate what is the expected use, and refer to approximately 5,000 users - 4,000 schoolchildren and 1,000 adults or senior students. I think I indicated yesterday how many bookings we have already. If I could put that again, I think it was pretty close to 5,000. We are up to 4,623 from 87 schools, and there are only nine booking days left. In terms of staffing, the Department of Education and Training will provide its own teaching staff to run its programs for the period of the contract. Again, whoever takes over the management of this centre knows that Education and Training will be running the programs and will provide its own teaching staff.

The specifications refer to provisions for administration. The Department of Education and Training will be responsible for its own program costs and maintenance, which consist of travel and subsistence and office requisites such as photocopy paper, instructional supplies, library software, staff development, program development and first aid. Whoever takes over the centre will be responsible for the administration of the school programs, which consists of bookings, fee collection and photocopying facilities. A liaison officer will be nominated by the Department of Education and Training. It is also stipulated that, when Education uses the facility, one of the four houses located at the Birrigai Recreation Centre, the teacher's cottage, will be required for use by the teacher-in-charge.

In terms of equipment, the specifications list what the Education Department will be responsible for in relation to its education program. It might be interesting to note some of that equipment, which is for the exclusive use of education programs. DET will provide a four-wheel-drive troop carrier-type vehicle - that is a big four-wheel-drive vehicle, I understand - for the exclusive use of DET personnel while they are there. The department will be maintaining the physical structures it uses now,

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