Education support critical to aid isolated students

"We want an equitable education for rural and remote students to their city counterparts," she said.

Student-teacher ratios were a key issue, with members concerned the numbers of teachers working at Port Augusta School of the Air did not reflect the true workload and unique pressures of the remote classroom.

SA-ICPA is calling on the Department of Education to grant a specific staffing allocation to the Port Augusta SOTA that is independent of the Open Access College, under which SOTA falls.

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North West branch member Lynly Kerin said there were concerns that not only were students being disadvantaged by the inadequate staff numbers but it could also be contributing to a high turnover of staff.

There were also concerns raised about the classification of teachers as belonging to OAC, which is based in Adelaide, as this meant all training also occurred in Adelaide, rather than in Port Augusta where the teachers were based.

SA-ICPA distance education spokesperson Petie Rankin said the number of students enrolled in SOTA had been rising in recent years, partly due to a changeover in generations in the pastoral lands.

"We're crying out for people in the pastoral lands, and competing against mining, so we need incentives to get them out here," she said. "We don't want (education) to be a turnoff for people coming out here."

Other issues raised included a call to airlines for a "student fare" for students away at boarding school, funding requirements for pre-school students and information shared about a shift in the health providers in remote areas.

When Emilee Warnest, Martins Well Station, noticed one of her children "slipping through the gaps", she first turned to their school.

But in recent years she has found it harder to find adequate support through Port Augusta School of the Air.

"I felt I had to go off on my own to find the support," she said.

While she had previously hired governesses to help with her three children, these were usually young and lacked the right experience.

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This year, she has hired a governess with decades of work history, particularly with student support.

Before that, she felt more pressure was coming back on her, but she did not have the critical skills.

"It's not an easy thing to know how to help them learn," she said. "Teaching someone how to read is not a natural ability."

Ms Warnest is not the only isolated parent facing this dilemma, with the SA Isolated Children's Parents' Association calling on the Department for Education to grant Port Augusta SOTA dedicated funding for a full-time school services officer.

Marla-Oodnadatta branch member Hollie Williams says her branch has noticed many of the assigned SSO hours used to cover administration and other tasks.

"Early identification and adequate support for students with potential learning difficulties, disabilities, as well as exceptional talent and abilities, are necessary," she said.

She said adequate SSO placements would relieve pressure on overworked teachers, as well as reduce the onus being put back on parents already under pressure.

Marla-Oodnadatta branch president Kirsty Williams said support had been intermittent and several students had reading levels below what they should be.

Immediate past president Kerry Williams said this was a "no brainer".

"This support is so critical," she said. "Kids in the city can access the help they need, but when out on a station, all they have is SOTA."

The Department for Education and Education Minister John Gardiner were contacted for comment but were unable to respond by Stock Journal's deadline.