Phone 4342 2070 Fax 4342 2071 Email us

2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

 

Adding my voice

 

I wish to add my voice to the number of people who have recently been writing regarding the sizes of classes in our schools.

I am a teacher of many years and can categorically state, through first hand experience, that the smaller the class, the better-educated students will be.

I did not need the Vinson Report to tell me this.

I have taught in a school overseas where the maximum class size was 15.

This allowed me to really hone in on students' individual needs and differences.

It allowed me to focus on their special needs and special talents.

It allowed the children unparalleled access to me.

So it naturally allowed the children to truly reach their full potential.

Of course, classes of 15 are out of the question (but wouldn't it be wonderful it this were not so?)

However, even a reduction to the maximum proposed of 20 in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 must have some positive impact on the children's learning and outcomes.

But DET must not stop there.

All class sizes in primary schools should be reduced to this number.

Learning does not stop at Year 2.

It just changes in focus and outcomes.

Therefore, I would like to see even class sizes across all of primary.

How the government pays for this is a tricky question but ways must be found as there should be no excuse not to help our children become just the best they can be.

Louise Degeling, Daleys Point