CAMP SCHOOLS — FAIRBRIDGE WA
879. Hon JIM CHOWN to the Minister for Education and
Training:
With Fairbridge WA being the McGowan government's
preferred tenderer for the six camp schools—Bridgetown, Dampier,
Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Pemberton and Point Peron—and in consideration
of Fairbridge WA's annual reports of 2014, 2015, 2016 that indicate
that Fairbridge was running at a significant loss over those periods —
(1) Would the
minister please explain why she believes that Fairbridge WA has the ability to
run the camp schools in an affordable manner and give continuity to its ongoing
commitments to thousands of public school students each year?
(2) How much has Fairbridge received in the form of
government grants over the last five years?
(3) If Fairbridge has been receiving government grants,
please give a breakdown on a per annum basis.
(4) Will the
new administrator of the six camp schools be instructed to give priority to
public school students or state-run schools who wish to access these important
educational facilities?
Hon SUE ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
(1) The
Department of Education conducted a robust tender and evaluation process to
select the most suitable proponent to manage the six camp schools.
(2) I have been advised that Fairbridge WA operates
over three areas: heritage and general accommodation; education through the
curriculum and re-engagement in education schools; and as an accredited
registered training organisation. Fairbridge WA receives funding from various
state and commonwealth sources.
(3) The
honourable member would need to ask Fairbridge WA about its sources of funding.
(4) Fairbridge WA
has committed to provide public school groups priority access to camp
accommodation during school term periods.