Immigration officials have begun preliminary discussions about education options for children whose families are currently in immigration detention in Darwin.

An initial approach has been made to the Northern Territory Department of Education and Training regarding the possibility of providing educational places for school-age asylum seekers.

Initial consultations are currently under way with education authorities about a memorandum of understanding between the two departments. Community as well as school council consultations are also part of the first steps before any decisions are made.

The policy of sending school-aged children to local schools is a long-standing one that has been followed over successive governments, over many years.

This is a practice and approach which has been adopted in locations throughout Australia by the department, including most recently in Leonora in Western Australia, and in the past, on Christmas Island.

In Leonora, the department has provided the necessary funding as well as demountable classrooms to provide additional full-time teachers and several interpreters.

Arrangements were put in place to enable this to occur smoothly owing to the cooperation and support of the school and WA education authorities.

No final arrangements have yet been made in the Northern Territory, but the department recognises it is important for the development of primary school-aged children that they attend school wherever possible.

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