In relation to students classified as disabled attending Government schools:

(1) How many disabled students attend the following:

(a) primary schools;

(b) high schools; and

(c) colleges.

(2) How many extra teachers in total, by school level does this represent.

(3) What is the cost, by school level of funding these students per capita.

(4) In each of the above questions, what are the comparable statistics for non-government schools.

Government Schools

(1) Enrolments of students with disabilities in government schools at the August 2001 census are as follows. Enrolments in special schools are also included.

(a) special schools 294

(b) primary schools 770

(c) high schools 321

(d) colleges 92

(2) The department employs 43 teachers to provide integration support for students with disabilities and itinerant support to sensory impaired or chronically ill students in mainstream classes.

Primary and secondary programs established specifically for students with disabilities have their own staffing formula. Teachers in these programs are therefore not considered to be "extra". Mainstream class teachers teach students with disabilities in their classrooms, with assistance from special teacher's assistants, as a normal part of their duties.

(3) The estimated outcome in the 2000-2001 financial year of the average cost per government special school student is $38,508. The estimated outcome in the 2000-2001 financial year of the average cost per government special education student in mainstream schools is $18,312.

Non-Government Schools

(1) Enrolments of students with disabilities in non-government schools at the February 2001 census is as follows:

(a) primary schools 86

(b) secondary (years 7-12) 162

(2) Non-government schools manage their own staffing and staff numbers are not reported to the Department of Education and Community Services.