4/8/04
The $1million Yulga Jinna Remote Community School north-west of Meekatharra has been officially opened today by Education and Training Minister Alan Carpenter.
Mr Carpenter said the school was an excellent example of the results that could be achieved through community participation.
"The assistance and participation of the Aboriginal community of Yulga Jinna has made a significant contribution to this project," he said.
"This strong link was reflected in an accord developed recently between the community and the school, setting out community expectations.
"The concept of the accord won an award at the recent State-wide Aboriginal Education Awards of Excellence."
The Minister said the new school encompassed the educational aims of the Yulga Jinna Community.
"The school's education programs incorporate the culture, values and traditions of the community," he said.
"Since it opened last year, the new school has helped provide the children of the community with skills and knowledge that will be invaluable to them for life.
"Providing better education infrastructure is part of the State Government's strategy to increase school retention rates in the State by improving the delivery of education in remote communities."
The Yulga Jinna Community is approximately 125km north-west of Meekatharra and is home to about 50 people. The population fluctuates according to seasonal work on neighbouring stations.
The school age population in the community is made up of five kindergarten children, 10 primary children and two students of secondary school age. A further 10 children visit the community regularly and stay with extended family members.
"Having a school of their own means that many families can now move to the community," Mr Carpenter said.
The Minister said prior to the new school opening in 2003, schooling was conducted in a single classroom donated to the community by a local mining operation.
"An Aboriginal Islander education officer from the then Department of Education supervised the students and the department's Meekatharra School of the Air provided students with individual lessons," he said.
"With the number of children, computers, resources and furniture, the old classroom tended to be crowded and not conducive to a good learning environment.
"To achieve their vision, the community required a qualified teacher living on-site to provide formal education in purpose-built school facilities."
Mr Carpenter said the school now included two classrooms, teacher accommodation and other infrastructure. The school also has its own principal and administration.
Minister's office: 9213 6800
