I am a parent of a wonderful 10-year-old boy who is level 3 Autistic. Like many other children in our region, he has struggled to find an educational institution that can cater to his unique needs. Schools in the South Burnett region either turn us away or offer only an hour per day of education - hardly enough time for any child to settle, let alone learn and build connections. The Gympie special school is too far and many families like ours simply cannot afford the travel.

This situation is not unique to us; it's a struggle faced by numerous families with children who have disabilities. They are entitled to full-time education just like any other child, but they are being denied this right due to lack of resources and capacity in our local schools.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that approximately 18% of Australians have some form of disability (ABS, 2018). In Queensland specifically, there are over 200,000 students with disabilities enrolled in schools (Queensland Government Data). Yet despite these numbers, there remains a significant lack of dedicated facilities for special education within our region.

We urge the relevant authorities - local government bodies and educational departments - to consider building a dedicated Special Education School within the South Burnett region. A school that can provide safe and appropriate environments tailored specifically for children with disabilities will ensure they receive their rightful access to quality education.

Please sign this petition if you believe every child deserves equal opportunities for learning regardless their abilities or circumstances. Let's make sure no child gets left behind because they were born different!