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Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 835 asked in the Legislative Council on 13 March 2018 by Hon Colin Holt

Question Directed to the: Minister for Education and Training
Parliament: 40 Session: 1


Question

I refer to the Safe Schools program and I ask:
(a) how many Western Australian public schools implemented the program in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively;
(b) how many Western Australian public schools are expected to use the program in 2018, now that it is State-funded;
(c) what is the process for an independent public school to sign up to the program; and
(d) how do parents and school communities have a say in whether their school adopts the program or not?

Answered on 10 April 2018

(a)   The number of public schools registered on the Safe Schools Coalition Australia (SSCA) website in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 was as follows:

  • 2014: 0
  • As at 20 October 2015: nine
  • As at December 2016: 24
  • As at October 2017: 25

       Schools in Western Australia were not able to register on the SSCA website until July 2015. Schools that registered on SSCA website did not necessarily deliver the SSCA program.

(b)   Federal funding for the national SSCA program ceased in June 2017. The Foundation for Young Australians continued to fund the WA AIDS Council to deliver the Safe Schools Coalition Australia initiative in Western Australia until 31 October 2017. Select resources produced under this program continue to remain available on the Australian Government’s Student Wellbeing Hub. 

The Department entered into an agreement with the WA AIDS Council (which previously delivered the SSCA program) from 1 November 2017 to 31 October 2019. Under this agreement, the WA AIDS Council provides:

  • tailored professional development for public school principals, teachers and support staff using materials published on the Australian Government Student Wellbeing Hub;
  • guidance on creating supportive and inclusive school policies for public school LGBTI students; and
  • Support to public schools with transgender or gender diverse students           

It is an expectation of the Department’s agreement with the WA AIDS Council that a minimum of 10 public secondary schools will access these services each year. It must be noted that these services do not include the delivery of the SSCA program. 

(c)   All public secondary schools can access the SSCA resources that are still available via the Australian Government Student Wellbeing Hub.

(d)  If schools intend to use any of the SSCA classroom lessons still available on the Australian Government Student Wellbeing Hub, they follow current practice for obtaining parent consent, which includes the choice for parents to have their child opt out of participation in particular classes and/or activities.