75th anniversary of Distance Education in WA

19/8/93

More than 40,000 Western Australians have received their education by mail in the past 75 years.

Currently about 2,000 full and part-time students, from pre-primary to secondary level, are being taught by correspondence.

Education Minister Norman Moore today highlighted the 75th anniversary of Distance Education in this State, which would be marked at a September 30 open day at the Education Ministry's Distance Education Centre (DEC) in West Perth, as part of Education Week.

Mr Moore met Mrs Iris Gill (nee Wilson) of Salter Point (near Manning), who completed her schooling in the 1930s while living with her parents at the Cape Leveque lighthouse, north of Broome and the Cape Don lighthouse near Darwin.

The centre offered direct correspondence education for students in isolated locations, students who were travelling or were unable to attend normal Government schools.  Western Australians living in other parts of Australia and in 42 countries around the world were currently involved with distance education.

"The centre co-ordinates about 150 teaching and 30 ancilliary staff and proudly boasts that distance education students achieve standards comparable with students at any Government school in the State," Mr Moore said.

"Together with the five Schools of the Air, the centre helps ensure that students have access to the common curriculum, no matter where they may be."

Distance Education students also received up to three visits during the school year from their regional teacher, while other personal contact time occurred at special DEC camps arranged for the different year groups.

The September 30 open day at the centre would involve former students and staff and would include a live telecast of the 'Live Science' program.

Media contact: Ross Storey 321 1444 / 222 9595