“That ICPA Qld continues to lobby State and Federal Government departments for the introduction of a Home educator financial allowance package, “Distance Education Teaching Allowance”, paid to families enrolled in a state-based school program and educating their children at home via the distance education model, where distance education is the only option due to geographical isolation.”
Currently, children enrolled in Distance Education receive between 6 and 11 hours per week of online based contact with a centre teacher. A Home Tutor (used in this context to refer to a parent/guardian who supervises and instructs the student/s in their home-based isolated classroom) or a governess (used in this context to refer to an adult employed by the family to supervise and instruct the student/s in their home -based isolated classroom) is necessary not only for the supervision of students whilst on air with their centre teacher, but also to deliver the curriculum of all other KLA’s that are not taught on air (in some cases the SDE teacher is only teaching 1 subject eg. English). Families have had to employ a ‘governess’ at their own expense, or one parent/guardian must relinquish a contributory financial position to supervise and teach their children for the school week. The role of home tutor/governess is vital for children in the isolated classroom to ensure children attend all scheduled online lessons and complete all other KLA work required. Children in the early years cannot be expected to manage their own time, nor can children in the older grades be expected to learn independently and unsupported.
Table supplied by Branch.
