Yipirinya School's future in doubt as enrolments plummet and debts mount

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The future of an independent Indigenous school in Alice Springs is under a cloud as it faces plummeting enrolments, debts climbing into the millions and sweeping layoffs. But teachers and staff members warn the job cuts will jeopardise the future of the school and its students.

Transcript

00:00After months of turmoil at this independent Alice Springs school,

00:06unwelcome news that up to 20 staff could lose their jobs.

00:11The school's not going to survive without these staff.

00:15These staff have been employed for many years now.

00:19Yipirinya is a critical institution for First Nations students,

00:23many with complex needs.

00:26They've come to Yipirinya from society where it's very difficult.

00:37Not enough sleep at night, nothing to eat.

00:40But it's featured in recent headlines for all the wrong reasons.

00:45I can't really make any comment today,

00:47but we'll just deal with what we've got there and work our way forward.

00:52An ex-principal's criminal conviction for choking and dragging students,

00:57plummeting enrolments and now revelations of a $3.7 million debt.

01:03The financial problems racked up under the former principal,

01:06according to a new report released today.

01:09With staff claiming they're paying the price of past mistakes.

01:13It's not the kids' sport. It's the grown-ups' sport. It's a systems' sport.

01:24And why should our people suffer?

01:26The government insists Yipirinya will remain open,

01:29and reduced staff numbers will not be a problem.

01:32Non-government schools are funded based on the number of students.

01:36So it's very logical to assume if you've got less students,

01:41that you require less people to run the school.

01:45Last December, NT government data shows there were 16 teachers

01:49and 92 non-teaching staff and more than 360 students.

01:54But by August this year, enrolments had dropped significantly.

01:58And today, just 50 kids turned up to class.

02:01For the numbers of students that are there, the funding is sufficient,

02:05and it's at the same rate that it's always been.

02:07Member for Lingayari, Marion Scrimger,

02:10wants the government to resolve any problems without axing jobs.

02:14Yipirinya is a critical connector for children in town camps

02:18who might not otherwise engage in the formal education system.

02:22Shadow Attorney-General, Chansey Paik,

02:25also calling on the NT and federal governments to find a fix and save jobs.

02:30Education Minister Joe Hersey declined to comment today.

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