2369. Hon Alison Xamon to the minister representing the Minister for Corrective Services:
I refer to the provision of education and training at Banksia Hill Detention Centre (Banksia Hill), and to the response to question on notice 4952 asked in the Legislative Assembly, and I ask:
(a) is the Certificate of General Education for Adults curriculum currently delivered to any children aged 14 years and under in Banksia Hill;
(b) if yes to (a), why;
(c) is the Entry to General Education curriculum currently delivered to any children aged 14 years and under in Banksia Hill;
(d) if yes to (c), why;
(e) has any consideration been given to the introduction of a curriculum better suited to the needs of younger children;
(f) if no to (e), why not;
(g) if yes to (e):
(i) what curricula are being considered; and
(ii) is it anticipated a new curriculum will be introduced in 2019; and
(h) if no to (g)(ii), why not?
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
(a) Yes.
(b) The Certificate of General Education (CGEA) for Adults curriculum caters to their academic and developmental needs and abilities.
(c) Yes.
(d) The Entry to General Education (EGE) targets people who are Level 1 or below according to Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The course plays a critical role in ensuring that ‘at risk’ students receive the training required to build a bridge between their current skill levels and the skill levels required for education and employment, healthy engagement in a community and wellbeing.
(e) No.
(f) The EGE and CGEA curriculums delivered at Banksia Hill Detention Centre have been written to cater for the unique and specific needs and interests of the young people and it allows the teachers to effectively teach our younger students the literacy and numeracy skills they haven’t acquired whilst attending mainstream educational venues.
(g) Not Applicable.
(h) Not Applicable.