News

Education | December 05, 2019

Lowan preps missing out under Labor

Primary schools across Lowan are becoming increasingly concerned that many of this year’s Prep students have not yet had their school entrance health screen under the Primary School Nurse Program.

The program is designed to identify children with potential health-related learning difficulties and to respond to parent/carer concerns and observations about their child's health and wellbeing.

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy has raised the matter in Parliament, demanding the Minister for Education immediately provide the resources required to ensure health screens are completed before the end of the school year.

“The screen is a critical tool for early identification, diagnosis and referral for treatment for five and six year olds,” Ms Kealy said.

“It provides an essential service to test our children for any health issues, particularly around vision, hearing and dental issues, but also assesses if a child is on the spectrum for learning disorders.

“As we all know, early diagnosis and intervention can make a huge difference to the health and learning outcomes for our children, so it breaks my heart that the Andrews Labor Government has not delivered on this important program for so many schools across my electorate.

“The Minister for Education has failed to deliver the Primary Nurse School Program. He must take immediate action to ensure that all Prep students in Lowan have their health screen and follow up direct nurse assessments completed by the end of the school year.”