Education assistants have raised concerns about the growing number of young children entering school without being properly toilet trained. The United Workers Union, which represents these workers, reports that this issue is becoming more common.
Lisa Judge, the WA public sector coordinator for the union, explained to Nadia Mitsopoulos that her members face this challenge daily. This issue is taking time away from their primary responsibilities. “In the past five years, we’ve seen a steady increase in the number of children coming to school who don’t have diagnosed special needs and are not yet toilet trained,” Judge said.
Daini Smith, an organizer with 15 years of experience as an education assistant, added that in some pre-primary and kindergarten classrooms, up to one-third of students are not toilet trained. Education assistants are often expected to manage the situation with minimal support.
“We’re not talking about accidents,” Smith clarified. “That’s part of the job. We’re seeing children arrive with nappy bags, ready to go.”
The union’s concerns highlight the growing need for additional resources and support for education staff to ensure children are prepared for school.
