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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 4 Hansard (7 May) . . Page.. 1071 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

The third recommendation, Mr Speaker, is that the alternative education program continue to operate in line with the current philosophy and key principles until a change is justified. The Government has agreed that the alternative program will operate as far as possible under current philosophy and key principles. However, the Government agrees with the minority report that it is up to a school community to decide its philosophy. I have already stated that the alternative education program will be much better than the former SWOW program. Some modification must be made to address educational and duty of care requirements for Years 9 and 10 students. Appropriate accountability mechanisms, which did not operate effectively in SWOW, need to be established in the new alternative education program. Mr Speaker, changes are inevitable, given that the SWOW philosophy was developed in the 1970s; but any changes to the philosophy and key principles will be negotiated with the community. The Government will continue to consult the community on the operation of the alternative education program at Dickson College.

The fourth recommendation, Mr Speaker, is that Years 11 and 12 be retained as part of the refocused SWOW program. The Government has made a commitment to continuing the education programs of current SWOW students enrolled in Years 11 and 12. Reports on the progress of the alternative education program indicate that the Years 11 and 12 students have assimilated well into the Dickson College environment.

Mr Speaker, the fifth recommendation of the report indicates that the Government should not use the name "School Without Walls" or "SWOW" without the agreement of the SWOW community. The Government agrees with this recommendation. The Government will consult with parents of students in the alternative education program at Dickson College and the community about an appropriate name for the facility.

The sixth recommendation, Mr Speaker, is that the Government not relocate SWOW to Dickson College but establish a twin campus arrangement for the refocused SWOW from the beginning of the 1997 school year. The Government does not agree with this recommendation and has relocated SWOW to Dickson College. It believes that the long-term twin campus arrangement would not solve the problems at SWOW. The Government notes, Mr Speaker, that the minority report agrees with the Government decision to relocate SWOW to Dickson College. The minority report indicated that SWOW students would have access to a wider curriculum at Dickson College and staff would benefit from the administrative support. As I have stated, Mr Speaker, the decision to relocate SWOW to Dickson College was made primarily for the educational wellbeing of the students. Dickson College was chosen because of the informal links already established between the schools. The alternative education program at Dickson College offers a more suitable learning environment, a broader curriculum, improved administration and support for students and teachers, and access to a much wider range of resources than were available at the old Braddon site.

The last recommendation, Mr Speaker, is that the Government engage an independent professional to facilitate negotiation between the parties on outstanding matters relating to the location and refocusing of SWOW. The Government does not believe it is appropriate to implement this recommendation. The minority report disagrees with

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