Langbroek Must Continue Travelling Show School

Media Release 

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk says the Education Minister has today gazetted formal notification of his plan to close the Queensland School for Travelling Show Children (QSTSC) meaning he must guarantee its continued operation for at least the next six months.

“The Education (General Provisions) Act says a school closure cannot happen less than six months after the Minister gazettes an intention to close it,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“That means the QSTSC must continue accepting students for the 2013 school year and must continue to serve show families at least until early May 2013.

“I believe if the school continues operating until then, the Minister should allow it to operate for all of 2013 to give show families a decent chance to make other arrangements for their children.

“The Act also demands that there be ‘adequate consultation by the Minister’ with the school community about any proposed closure.

“That has not happened and in fact quite the opposite has occurred.

“Mr Langbroek’s dealings with the QSTSC community have been marked by rudeness and arrogance starting with his decision at the time of the State Budget to shut the school.

“That decision came out of the blue and threw show families into crisis by giving them so little time to find suitable alternative schooling other than through the School of Distance Education which does not suit their unique circumstances.

“It’s time Mr Langbroek started thinking about the students and their families.

“He must either reverse his decision and keep the school open permanently or ensure parents have adequate time to explore other options for their children,” Ms Palaszczuk said.