All schools need permanent Learning Support Officers

Like many other grandparents in New South Wales I saw my grandsons go back to school for another year last week. It’s always an exciting time of year and I’m looking forward to hearing all about what they learn and all the new friends they will make this year. But back-to-school time is always a reminder too, of all the hard work our school support staff, teachers and principals will do to help our children through another year of school.

This year the Federal Government launched its new My School website. A resource that they hope will make parents’ lives easier and help target funds to the schools that need it most. Yet in most schools you only have to ask the staff, some of whom may have been at the school for 10 or 20 years, what they think would make the school better.

Often the school support staff I represent as a PSA official say they just want more hours to be able to spend time with students in the classroom. It’s not rocket science, but it makes sense.

It is no secret that many children in our schools are struggling and are just not getting the help that they need to succeed. Unfortunately teachers can’t always give their attention to every child equally. And for whatever reason children can miss out or fall behind.

And this is where Learning Support Officers step in.

Learning Support Officers (LSOs) are specifically funded to help students who have been officially diagnosed with a learning disorder or a disability. But more often than not LSOs help students who do not have any funding too. They will often assist other children in the classroom who may need a little extra help with their spelling or a gentle reminder not to talk while the teacher is.

LSOs are often the first person a child will confide in, they are the person who makes sure children have a proper lunch, and the person who gives a child a little extra encouragement when they might feel lonely or not as smart as all the others.

In reality more schools and more students would benefit from the help of a permanent LSO.

Both the Federal and State Governments need to start look at practical ways to improve the performance of our students. And a great start would be simply investing in permanency for LSOs who love their work, and who can be the lifeline children need to stay in school and succeed.

The provision of education to students with a disability or special needs

The NSW Government has finally taken notice and established an inquiry into the provision of education to students with a disability or special needs. This is your chance to have a say so go to the NSW Parliament website and have your say.