Page 941 - Week 03 - Thursday, 19 March 2015
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Canberra Institute of Technology—Auslan
MR DOSZPOT: My question is to the minister for education. Minister, yesterday, 18 March, in a debate on a motion on social inclusion you spoke of the availability of Auslan courses at CIT. You said that CIT was offering cert II and cert III courses in Auslan. Given that CIT is not accepting new students for entry into cert II, is not your reference to the availability of cert II misleading, and why is CIT the only TAFE institution in Australia not offering new enrolments in certificate II?
MS BURCH: Cert II is being taught out and cert III is on offer for new enrolments. But there are very limited numbers enrolling in that. I know that a number of those opposite have a keen interest in Auslan and opportunities for learning it. I made some comment on it yesterday and I have on previous occasions. I think there is a need to better promote it. If Mr Doszpot and those opposite think that there is greater interest in this then they should rally those people with an interest and have it realised in enrolments.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, is it your intention to constrain the training of Auslan so that it is increasingly difficult for students in the ACT wishing to train in Auslan to access appropriate level training at CIT?
MS BURCH: No.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Lawder.
MS LAWDER: Minister, does the ACT have an obligation to make Auslan training available for people who wish to work in the disability sector?
MS BURCH: Auslan training is available in the ACT through CIT, through CIT Solutions, and I think I made mention of other providers that have training on offer for members of this community as well.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Ms Lawder.
MS LAWDER: Minister, does your government have any interest in providing communication access for deaf people?
MS BURCH: I find that question an insult to the interpreters in this city, to the training providers in this city and to the disability support services in this city. Clearly, the answer is: yes, we have an absolute, keen interest in providing that support.
Education—parental engagement
MS PORTER: My question is for the minister for education. Minister, you recently announced a definition of “parental engagement” as well as a guide to how parents can appropriately engage with their children’s education. How will this definition renew education in the ACT and improve student outcomes for all students?
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