Perth Voice Interactive

A NOT-FOR-PROFIT organisation teaching Italian to 22,215 students in WA schools is worried a WA government review could jeopardise its language program.

For 35 years the Italo-Australian Welfare & Cultural Centre has been teaching italian in WA schools.

It now employs teachers in 81 schools, including Kyilla primary (North Perth), Our Lady’s Assumption (Dianella) and Noranda primary.

WA multicultural interests minister Mike Nahan says his review into community language programs will include “principles of reallocation”.

IAWCC director Sarina Sirna is concerned: “Any cuts would be absolutely detrimental to the survival of our program,” she says. “We have been informed that the review report is now with the minister, but we are very worried about cuts to our program, which has been running since 1978.

“Essentially, we offer the classes free-of-charge to schools and students throughout WA.”

The IAWCC receives from the Barnett government $65 for every student in WA government and after-hour classes, and $35 per student attending Catholic and private schools.

The vast majority of its students (20,474) are in Catholic and private schools.

“The $35 state government portion has not increased since 1992, in comparison with other states that may contribute up to $190 per capita annually,” Ms Sirna notes.

Dr Nahan’s spokesperson Graham Mason says “A review has recently been presented to the minister” but “no decision has been made on funding levels”.

Labor MP Rita Saffioti says the government needs to do better to keep stakeholders informed.

The language program also receives funding from the federal and Italian governments.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK