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Many disability advocacy organisations working together to advance inclusive education across Australia’s education systems say that they are deeply concerned by the Queensland Government’s recent announcement to build six new special schools.
The Queensland Government says the boost will ensure students with higher support needs receive the specialised teaching and learning required for them to thrive.
However, the Australian Coalition for Inclusive Education (ACIE), a national alliance of 25 organisational members representing the education of people with disability, issued a statement arguing the decision undermines Australia’s international human rights obligations by elevating a discriminatory education system that separates, rather than includes, children and young people with disability.
Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA), a disability advocacy group, is the Co-Chair of ACIE. CYDA CEO, Skye Kakoschke-Moore, claims that the decision “flies in the face” of families and teachers who have spent decades campaigning for a truly inclusive mainstream education system in Queensland.
We got a decision that takes us…a hundred steps backwards in terms of the progress the inclusive education movement has made to date
Skye Kakoschke-Moore
Ms Kakoschke-Moore also claims the Queensland Government has not given enough thought to evidence provided in the Disability Royal Commission proving the segregation of students with disability resulted in worse outcomes.
“By starting students in a segregated setting early, you are putting them on this pathway towards not being part of the broader Australian community.”
All students in mainstream education experience better academic, social, and developmental outcomes when they are supported to learn and grow together from the early years, according to the ACIE.
Former Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, who attended a special school early in his educational journey, argues segregated education doesn’t prepare students for life after school ends.
They don't train us to interact in the world…. It's counterintuitive to want people to live successfully in the community and then to take them away from the community for their schooling
Graeme Innes
CYDA CEO, Skye Kakoschke-Moore, argues It's crucially important that other states and territories don't fellow Queensland's lead.
“It’s really important they recognize that investing in a dual track system of education options for students with disability is shortsighted.”
Mr Innes agrees.
“There's no logical argument for continuing the special school system, but we as a community don't seem to be able to make the decision to change it.”