More than 500 school bags were placed on the steps of Western Australia’s Parliament House on Thursday in a visual protest calling for a review of the state’s public education system.

The bags each represented a student, parent, teacher or education expert, with information cards attached to each one telling the story of their experience in the school system, particularly those who are neurodiverse.

Connor and Fred are two students who took part in the protest. Credit:Holly Thompson

Stories included those of children struggling to cope in school after failing to receive adequate support for their learning disabilities or declining mental health.

One story came from a five-year-old boy who said he suffered from nightmares and speech regression after being restrained at “poked at” in school.

Event organiser Symone Wheatley-Hey, from advocacy group Square Peg Round Whole, said the protesters were calling for two points of action.

“One is for a commitment and a strategy towards a more inclusive education system … where children regardless of disabilities, neurodiversity or other differences, can be educated appropriately and safely in the public schools,” she said.

“They should be educated in the same public schools, and they shouldn’t be segregated based on disability.

“We’re also … looking for the establishment of some kind of independent oversight or monitoring because all the schools self assess, and then the Department handles their own investigations into incidents. There’s no one externally checking and that’s really problematic.”

She said teachers needed help in the classrooms to make this possible because “they’re burning out because they’re under resourced, under supported and overworked.”

Education Minister Sue Ellery attended the protest and read the messages attached to the school bags.

She said the goal was for every student to have positive experiences, so they could achieve their best.

“I recognise that these parents just want the very best opportunities for their children, and I commend them for being strong advocates for not just their children but all children,” she said.

Square Peg Round Whole WA branch coordinator Symone Wheatley out the front of state parliament.Credit:Holly Thompson

“Students have a range of diverse needs, which is why staff have access to services and resources to make the teaching and learning adjustments required to meet the individual needs of students with disability.”

Ellery said some of these resources included increased professional learning for school staff who work with students with disabilities and a growing number of school psychologists.

“Schools are expected to work closely with parents to ensure each child’s needs are being met and to address any concerns parents may have with their child’s education,” she said.

“WA schools have access to a variety of student-level data and use this to inform their planning and provision of programs and supports for students with additional needs, including those with disability.

“We appreciate direct feedback on the issues affecting students and their families and the Department of Education, my office and myself regularly engage with families on such matters.”

She said the state government had allocated $4.58 million from 2022 to 2025, to develop a framework to further support the teaching and learning needs of students with disability and complex behaviour.

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