Miss-Delectable
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No close schools for Hume's deaf - Leader News: Melbourne community news
PARENTS of deaf children in Hume are calling for the State Government to build a secondary school centre for deaf students in Craigieburn.
Carolyn Kerry, of Roxburgh Park, is aghast at the prospect of daughter Brittney, 10, having to make a 50km round trip daily to the nearest deaf school, at Sunshine.
"Brittney's in Grade 5 this year, but we're thinking about holding her back a year ... in the hope that maybe there will be a deaf facility available for her closer to home by the time she's in secondary school, and to give her a chance to ... mature," Ms Kenny said.
The Education Department is conducting a review into deaf education in Victoria.
Recently Ms Kerry and other parents of deaf children raised the issue with Yuroke state Labor MP Liz Beattie.
"We need a secondary deaf facility in Craigieburn for these children to follow studies like other students do," she said.
"Why should they be disadvantaged any further by adding a load of travel to their valuable study time?
"Isn't being deaf enough?"
Deaf Children Australia chief executive officer Damian Lacey said every child deserved equal access to education.
"The absence of transportation to accessible learning environments for deaf children jeopardises their education outcomes," Mr Lacey said.
He said the State Government must ensure deaf children had access to education, regardless of where they lived.
Anna Malbon, spokeswoman for the Education Department, encouraged interested people to have their say and contribute ideas to the review, and Yuroke state Labor MP Liz Beattie said any concerned parents should contact her.
Four Melbourne secondary schools, in Heidelberg West, Forest Hill, Frankston and Sunshine, have deaf centres.
* Does Hume need a secondary deaf facility? Write to The Editor, Level 1, 144 Melrose Drive, Tullamarine, or email hume @leadernewspapers.com.au
PARENTS of deaf children in Hume are calling for the State Government to build a secondary school centre for deaf students in Craigieburn.
Carolyn Kerry, of Roxburgh Park, is aghast at the prospect of daughter Brittney, 10, having to make a 50km round trip daily to the nearest deaf school, at Sunshine.
"Brittney's in Grade 5 this year, but we're thinking about holding her back a year ... in the hope that maybe there will be a deaf facility available for her closer to home by the time she's in secondary school, and to give her a chance to ... mature," Ms Kenny said.
The Education Department is conducting a review into deaf education in Victoria.
Recently Ms Kerry and other parents of deaf children raised the issue with Yuroke state Labor MP Liz Beattie.
"We need a secondary deaf facility in Craigieburn for these children to follow studies like other students do," she said.
"Why should they be disadvantaged any further by adding a load of travel to their valuable study time?
"Isn't being deaf enough?"
Deaf Children Australia chief executive officer Damian Lacey said every child deserved equal access to education.
"The absence of transportation to accessible learning environments for deaf children jeopardises their education outcomes," Mr Lacey said.
He said the State Government must ensure deaf children had access to education, regardless of where they lived.
Anna Malbon, spokeswoman for the Education Department, encouraged interested people to have their say and contribute ideas to the review, and Yuroke state Labor MP Liz Beattie said any concerned parents should contact her.
Four Melbourne secondary schools, in Heidelberg West, Forest Hill, Frankston and Sunshine, have deaf centres.
* Does Hume need a secondary deaf facility? Write to The Editor, Level 1, 144 Melrose Drive, Tullamarine, or email hume @leadernewspapers.com.au