Special education class losses remain unknown

By Ted Kenny and Angelo Gavrielatos

Federation continues to seek specific details of cuts to special education classes and subsequently their teachers.

On August 18 Education Minister Dr Andrew Refshauge announced all special classes (including regular schools and SSPs) would be allocated a teachers aide (special) by 2007. This will involve the employment of an additional 660 teachers aides (special) over three years (2005-2007). The Government did not fully fund this "initiative". While an additional $15.6 million has been allocated, the remainder of the funding will come from reducing the total number of special classes and therefore teachers.

The reductions are opposed by Federation. This opposition was stated in Education on August 30 and has been restated formally to both the DET and Government.

The exact magnitude and location of these losses are as yet unknown.

Federation has been attempting to:

a) get precise information concerning the impact of these changes both state-wide and locally;
b) prevent the loss of classes/teaching positions;
c) ensure the rights of members are protected.
At the time of writing Department of Education and Training has not provided any specific information concerning the exact number and location of any proposed loss of classes/positions.

The announcement indicates that:

i) In 2005 all ED (emotionally disturbed), BD (behaviour disoriented) and autism classes will be allocated a teacher aide (special). It further indicates that ED, BD and autism classes need not exceed seven students.
ii) In 2006 all IM (intellectually mild), IO (intellectually moderate), physical and hearing impairment classes in regular schools will be allocated a teachers aide (special). It further indicates that IO classes and classes for physical and hearing impairment need not exceed 10, 8, and 9 students respectively.
iii) In 2007 all special classes, including in SSPs will be allocated a teachers aide (special). While not explicitly stated Federation believes that IO classes in SSPs need not exceed 10. IM and IS (intellectually severe) ratios will remain unchanged.

Ted Kenny is an Organiser and Angelo Gavrielatos is the Senior Vice President.

For further information

November 2004 contents