A handful of primary school staff who support children with disability in the classroom have lost their jobs, leaving them baffled as to why their roles are no longer needed.
Six Learning Support Officers (LSO) have been told their positions no longer exist at St John Bosco Catholic Primary School, Engadine, because of a drop in pupil enrolments this year.
School learning support officers works under the direction and supervision of the classroom teacher. They provide assistance to students with additional learning and support needs, and also help with school routines and classroom activities.
A spokeswoman for Sydney Catholic Schools says the school has 51 fewer enrolments in 2019, which has reduced the amount the funding available to pay their wages.
Under the Work Practices Agreement, teachers can provide feedback on how their school uses funding that large class sizes attract.
She says at the end of 2018, staff were given the choice to use available money to pay for fewer LSOs on reduced hours, or be provided with an extra literacy and numeracy teacher.
A majority of staff - 95 per cent - voted to have the additional teacher.
The spokeswoman says this option means that teachers can work with children in smaller, ability-based groups, so they receive more targeted support.
But the school has kept two of its LSOs on board. One of them helps pupils with diverse learning needs, and the other is a specialist trainer of a mathematics intervention program that aims to boost numeracy skills. That role is partially funded by parents.
Those told to leave, were too distraught to appear in an article. They were farewelled at a morning tea on February 28.
Principal Anna Cindric says while the school community is sad to lose the departing LSOs, she is confident the school will continue to deliver the necessary support to ensure children achieve their best.
“Our school community, and especially our teachers, are deeply grateful for the valuable contribution our departing learning support officers have made to the students in their care," she said.
“In their many years of service, they have offered considered, vibrant professional support to ensure lessons run smoothly and are accessible for all."
The Australian Education Union says funding to support students with disabilities in the public system, should go beyond school budget capacity.
“Our schools work hard to ensure that access, specialist support and staffing are appropriate for their students. However, this comes with extra costs for schools and must be fully resourced,” Ms Haythorpe said.
She welcomed Labor's announcement of an extra $300 million if elected, to provide more individualised learning for additional teachers, education support staff and teacher training.
The Morrison government fired back, by announcing it would launch a $4 million information portal to support educating students with disability.
"The new interactive portal will make it easier for education professionals to access advice and guidance on what they can do to ensure students with disability are given every opportunity to learn and succeed," Education Minister Dan Tehan said.
"Teachers will be able to access professional learning modules, podcasts, and other resources for self-directed and blended learning through the portal. There are also videos, infographics and parent information."
The interactive portal will also provide referrals to other services and disability assistance.