“That ICPA Qld lobbies the Department of Education (DoE) to continue to distribute and supply paper-based, educational resources and workbooks for spelling and handwriting within all schools of Distance Education.”
In past years, the Student Resource Scheme (SRS) payment covered essential learning materials, including a spelling and handwriting book for students to use throughout the year
However, at Cairns School of Distance Education, the 2025 SRS now only funds online subscriptions like Clickview and Sora, along with maths and science resource packs. While these resources are valuable, the exclusion of a structured handwriting and spelling program is a significant concern. In an era dominated by digital learning, foundational skills like handwriting and spelling risk being neglected. Although parents have the option to purchase these books separately through Campion, removing them from the SRS and failing to mandate their instruction jeopardizes students' literacy development. Strong spelling and handwriting abilities are not just academic necessities - they are lifelong skills. We urge the Department of Education to reconsider its approach to ensure these educational resources and workbooks are supplied to develop students fine motor skills and reinforce proper writing and spelling techniques.
