Independent Member for Frome, Geoff Brock was approached in late May by students concerned that the Spencer Institute of TAFE, Port Pirie campus were going to close its aboriginal access centre, also known as the ‘log cabin’.
In response to the approach, Mr Brock said students enrolled in the literacy/numeracy classes conducted in the ‘log cabin’ would be transferred to mainstream classes.
According to Mr Brock’s office, individual letters were sent to each of the registered students accessing the aboriginal access centre for their learning to explain this change and a subsequent meeting was called to further explain the change and transitioning arrangements.
“All current students were invited to attend this briefing. Regrettably we understand that attendance was poor,” Mr Brock said.
“The lecturer assigned to the aboriginal access centre continues to be employed and has been allocated project work. “In terms of the allegations regarding inappropriate disposal of student work, we understand that the material which was placed in bins was marked as confidential waste and due for appropriate destruction (shredding) at a secure site in Port Augusta.”