When it comes to equality, our education system is trapped in a bygone era.
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The words exclusion, segregation and discrimination all come into play when we are talking about educating children with special needs.
The call for equality in the classroom rang out in Maitland this week courtesy of a local woman who wishes to be known as Robyn.
Robyn and her teenage son, who lives with Dyspraxia which is similar to autism, have been shoved from pillar to post and ultimately placed in the too hard basket.
Robyn’s child has “low grade” special needs. He has the option of mainstream schooling or attending a high school for children who have much higher needs.
Robyn told the Mercury that with the proper resources, care and communication between teachers, her son and his family, the child will flourish in a mainstream school environment.
She has requested numerous meetings with school staff to discuss his educational options but to no avail and has been brushed off at every turn.
Her son is restless, has been bullied and starting to succumb to peer pressure.
He has been sent home from school several times much to Robyn’s frustration after being told he is a threat to himself, other students and teachers.
She said her son needs a school that can cater for special needs with a genuine, committed approach to special needs issues in a supportive, dynamic environment.
NSW Teacher’s Federation regional organiser Jack Galvin Waight said teachers and schools are doing the best job possible with the resources and support they have available to them. He said the main issue is that students with disabilities and schools are not receiving the appropriate funding from the federal government.
Be that as it may, this is no excuse for education facilitators to turn their back on those who are desperately seeking help for their children.
Children with Disability Australia said the direct experience of children with a disability today is still characterised by the same barriers and overwhelmingly poor experiences and outcomes as those who began their education journey 20 years ago.
CDA CEO Stephanie Gotlib said the breadth of disadvantage students with disability must contend with is profound and reveal stark gaps between students with and without disability. A change is long overdue.
