MANDURAH MLA David Templeman has said he is concerned the Peel region’s only Behaviour Centre could be shut down, despite Education Minister Peter Collier stating otherwise.
The Peel region has one Primary Behaviour Centre, based at Mandurah Primary School, which caters for schoolchildren with behavioural problems from kindergarten to year seven.
Last month Mr Collier said the Department of Education was reviewing the effectiveness of behaviour management programs, including Behaviour Centres.
“The Department of Education is reviewing the effectiveness of support to students with extremely challenging behaviours in 2014, including accessibility to and capacity of Behaviour Centres,” Mr Collier said.
“There is no plan to close the Behaviour Centre in Mandurah.
“No decision has yet been made on future Government policy directions on extreme behaviour management, but I would like to see some expansion of Curriculum and Re-engagement (CARE) schools.
“CARE schools don’t charge fees and are funded by the State, Commonwealth and non-Government sectors.
“I want to make quite clear the review isn’t focused on cost.
“An expansion of CARE schools wouldn’t necessarily be less of a burden on the taxpayer.
“This review is about delivering the best outcomes for our most at-risk students.”
There are 12 Behaviour Centres in WA which cost about $15million to operate, in comparison to the CARE program which costs about $5m.
Mr Collier has previously said it would be “ridiculous” to continue to run both the CARE system and the Behaviour Centres.
But on Tuesday Mr Templeman called the Mandurah behaviour centre “very crucial” and said he had spoken with a number of local principals who were concerned it could be shut.
“The Minister was quizzed about this and he raised concerns that in his view they weren’t effective,” he said.
“The Minister keeps talking about the CARE centres, but these Behaviour Centres deal with younger kids and we’ve only got one in the Peel.
“My fear is if you close that the school has to try and deal with those kids and I think eventually they’ll just be expelled.”
In Parliament last month Mr Templeman read a letter from a local principal, who wished to remain anonymous.
“The psychologists, teachers and education assistants that work with us from the Behaviour Centre play a pivotal role in the development of behaviour change plans for students,” Mr Templeman read.
“I have grave concerns for the wellbeing of my staff and my students should we no longer have access to the support of a Primary Behaviour Centre.
“I am sure that all of the schools in Mandurah would hold similar concerns.”