Environmental education curriculum - Questions

Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Minister for Education:

(1) Is the Department of Education aware of cuts in community education from the environment budget that will have a negative impact on the environmental education curriculum?
(2) In what ways has the Department of Education made preparations to fill the gap from cuts to the Ribbons of Blue, AirWatch and place-based education programs?
(3) Has the department budgeted for new programs to deliver outcomes on sustainability and environmental education?
(4) If yes to (3), what are those programs?
(5) If no to (3), why not?

Hon PETER COLLIER replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Yes.
(2) The Department of Education will continue to work with the Department of Parks and Wildlife and community providers to support environmental education in schools.
(3) No.
(4) Not applicable.
(5) The Department of Education is not in a budget position to fund new programs in this area. The Department of Education will continue to work with the Department of Parks and Wildlife and community providers to support environmental education in schools.