Special needs students to get tablet computer use - Joint Media Release
Monday, 21 November 2011 08:56
Special needs students to get tablet computer use
LNP Leader Campbell Newman announced a CanDo LNP Government will provide iPads or tablets for special needs students to help them achieve their full potential.
“We’ve seen how computers can greatly enhance the education of young Queenslanders, and the LNP will ensure all schools with a special education program can also access this technology. This will allow teachers and students to harness the benefits of modern tools through electronic tablets,” Mr Newman said.
“An LNP Government will provide every State Special School with 20 tablets for their students to use, and also supply 10 tablets to every State School or non-Government School with a special education program for their students.
“The tablets will be the schools’ property and can be used to complement their existing IT programs - and can be connected to the internet using the schools’ existing internet.
Shadow Minister for Education Dr Bruce Flegg said research showed that students who had experienced good foundations early on in education and had good literacy and numeracy outcomes had a higher rate of successful employment and a lower rate of engagement with the legal system.
“Education isn’t for a select few, it’s for all Queenslanders.
The LNP will work to go the extra mile to help schools which offer special education programs deliver these outcomes for students and this initiative is a concrete example of this.”
Shadow Minister for Disability Services Tracy Davis said learning how to use this technology would greatly assist special needs students in their daily lives.
“Technology is an integral component of our lives and there’s no escaping it. Helping students engage and learn how to use tablets is giving them life- skills they can use outside the classroom. This is about looking at what special needs students can achieve - rather than focussing on what their limitations are.”
Mr Newman said the policy complements the LNP’s objective to give Queenslanders with disabilities more control over their lives.
“For too long, many special needs students have been denied the solid foundations of a quality education by this tired, 20-year-old Labor Government. The LNP will give all Queenslanders a fair go - and this starts with everyone being able to access quality education.
“The LNP is committed to revitalising frontline services to get Queensland back on track and it is important that the most vulnerable in society share the benefits of this revitalisation.”
[ENDS] 20 November 2011