Mrs PADGHAM-PURICH - 1995-08-16
Apart from a mileage allowance, what help could be offered to the parents of a gifted child who lives in the outer rural area? A mileage allowance is of some assistance, but it would entail almost 4 hours travel a day for the parents, and almost 2 hours travel a day for the child to enable that child to attend the nearest school for gifted children in Parap.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I understood that the member was to ask a general question about education for gifted children, and I did not prepare myself to respond to such a specific question. In regard to whether travelling allowance is being provided in a specific case to enable a child to attend a particular school, a response can be provided simply and fairly quickly if the member puts her query directly to my office, either by telephone or by letter. Nevertheless, the member's question allows me to comment on what is an excellent program for gifted children in our schools.
Mrs Padgham-Purich interjecting.
Mr HATTON: To assist the member, I will provide her now with literature which outlines the policy and programs, including work within the schools and attendance at particular schools etc. That may assist the member to get up to speed on what is available to assist her constituents. If she is seeking specific information in relation to a particular constituent, she may wish to contact my office directly which will enable me to deal with her inquiry.
Our government is very proud of the work and development of policy in relation to gifted students. It is a fact that a number of parents interstate have been recommended to relocate to the Northern Territory to obtain the best program for their gifted children. The Northern Territory's program is regarded as the best in Australia in the public education system, something that our department should feel rightly proud of. We have had a program for gifted students since 1983. In heeding the call for Australia to become the clever country, the Northern Territory government focuses some of its attention on those students in our school system who have the potential to succeed at the highest level. We are committed to providing the best possible programs for all students in our schools. This means providing for students with special needs, including gifted and talented children. The term `special needs' covers a wide spectrum that includes those with learning difficulties or particular physical or mental disabilities, and those who have particular gifts or talents. Emphasis is placed on the needs of the individual student and creating opportunities to enable that student to reach his or her full potential.
Recently, I saw a very interesting video, called Little Man Tate, which I encourage members to view. It discusses an extraordinarily bright 10-year-old in America. I believe it is
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based on a true story. What struck me most was that, whilst many gifted children have extraordinary mental abilities - in a specific field such as maths, science or art, or even generally - their emotional and motor skills development is in keeping with that of other children of the same age. Therefore, it is fairly important for their emotional and social development that, wherever possible, they develop in a peer group of similar age. When they are separated from their own emotional age group and pushed up the ranks, often they will suffer quite serious psychological or psychiatric problems as they enter their teens.
It is important to note that much of our work is focused on developing early intervention and identification programs, and in-service support for our teachers, to provide the opportunity for children to have accelerated learning in their own schools. This enables them to continue to be challenged, which is important, but still to participate generally with their own age group through the schooling system. It provides also for special courses, which are run through Casuarina Secondary College, and other enrichment programs. There is an array of these, and I will be happy to provide the member with much more detail when she contacts me rather than taking up over much of Question Time. I suggest the member examine the documentation I have provided and, if she has any further questions, that she contact me.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I understood that the member was to ask a general question about education for gifted children, and I did not prepare myself to respond to such a specific question. In regard to whether travelling allowance is being provided in a specific case to enable a child to attend a particular school, a response can be provided simply and fairly quickly if the member puts her query directly to my office, either by telephone or by letter. Nevertheless, the member's question allows me to comment on what is an excellent program for gifted children in our schools.
Mrs Padgham-Purich interjecting.
Mr HATTON: To assist the member, I will provide her now with literature which outlines the policy and programs, including work within the schools and attendance at particular schools etc. That may assist the member to get up to speed on what is available to assist her constituents. If she is seeking specific information in relation to a particular constituent, she may wish to contact my office directly which will enable me to deal with her inquiry.
Our government is very proud of the work and development of policy in relation to gifted students. It is a fact that a number of parents interstate have been recommended to relocate to the Northern Territory to obtain the best program for their gifted children. The Northern Territory's program is regarded as the best in Australia in the public education system, something that our department should feel rightly proud of. We have had a program for gifted students since 1983. In heeding the call for Australia to become the clever country, the Northern Territory government focuses some of its attention on those students in our school system who have the potential to succeed at the highest level. We are committed to providing the best possible programs for all students in our schools. This means providing for students with special needs, including gifted and talented children. The term `special needs' covers a wide spectrum that includes those with learning difficulties or particular physical or mental disabilities, and those who have particular gifts or talents. Emphasis is placed on the needs of the individual student and creating opportunities to enable that student to reach his or her full potential.
Recently, I saw a very interesting video, called Little Man Tate, which I encourage members to view. It discusses an extraordinarily bright 10-year-old in America. I believe it is
Page 704
based on a true story. What struck me most was that, whilst many gifted children have extraordinary mental abilities - in a specific field such as maths, science or art, or even generally - their emotional and motor skills development is in keeping with that of other children of the same age. Therefore, it is fairly important for their emotional and social development that, wherever possible, they develop in a peer group of similar age. When they are separated from their own emotional age group and pushed up the ranks, often they will suffer quite serious psychological or psychiatric problems as they enter their teens.
It is important to note that much of our work is focused on developing early intervention and identification programs, and in-service support for our teachers, to provide the opportunity for children to have accelerated learning in their own schools. This enables them to continue to be challenged, which is important, but still to participate generally with their own age group through the schooling system. It provides also for special courses, which are run through Casuarina Secondary College, and other enrichment programs. There is an array of these, and I will be happy to provide the member with much more detail when she contacts me rather than taking up over much of Question Time. I suggest the member examine the documentation I have provided and, if she has any further questions, that she contact me.
Page 705
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016