Question Time

EDUCATION, ADULT RE-ENTRY

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:16): In spite of not getting an answer to the last question, my next question is also to the Minister for Education. Under the government's adult re-entry program, can the minister advise at which institutions a person over the age of 21 will be able to study basic literacy and numeracy?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Education, Minister for Early Childhood Development) (14:16): I answered this question before; it is substantially the same question. I think that those opposite are troubled because what has happened over the last few weeks since the budget is that their misrepresentations about a number of the budget savings initiatives are beginning to unravel. So, what is—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —happening is that, as we get around and speak to the adult re-entry colleges—and I have now had the opportunity to speak to all but one; I am meeting with Marden College soon—we have had very positive discussions. What has emerged from those discussions is the view that, in some quarters (I will not say that this is universal), these reforms were overdue. That is what has been said to us.

There has been a broad acknowledgment about the use to which the adult re-entry colleges are being put, that is, being used as WEA courses or some form of community education for people who are looking for companionship; although that is important, it is difficult to justify using a high-cost high school model to continue to provide those services.

We do not want to leave those people behind, and we will find ways in which they can be connected with the WEA courses. In terms of the foundation studies that are being referred to, I repeat what I said earlier: our principal aim is to make sure that you do not leave school without that basic literacy and numeracy. That must be our focus. That is the starting point. If, though, you have left school, we will seek to re-engage you through our ICAN programs.

If, for instance, you leave within a few years, we will have the opportunity of re-engaging you in the high school—again, if you are about completing SACE. If, however, you want to come back to high school for the purposes of trying to receive some foundation studies, we have the Skills for All package that talks about foundation studies to give you the skills necessary to then go on and gain a qualification in a vocational, education and training setting.

If you are a registered training organisation, you can gain access to that. The truth is that the adult re-entry colleges are registered training organisations.

Mrs Redmond interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Some of them are, or some of them are co-located with registered organisations, such as TAFE. I know that it is difficult to understand. I know that you have never paid a lot of attention to the way in which young, disadvantaged people leave high school and try to find a life for themselves. I know that has never really been a concern of those opposite who are worried about the leafy suburbs and the big end of town, but—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —we spend our days and weeks thinking about these things, because—

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I warn the member for MacKillop.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: —that is what Labor governments do.