Northern Territory parents fear inadequate staffing threatens children's lives

Parents of children with disabilities in the Northern Territory are worried about their children's safety at a special school. They claim a lack of staffing puts their kids at risk. The government has promised to investigate increasing staff at the school. Kali Sachs, a mother of a seven-year-old girl with a rare genetic disorder, expressed her concerns. Her daughter, Apryl, has a tracheostomy tube that needs regular care. Sachs noted that trained staff are not always present in Apryl's classroom, raising fears about her safety. Similarly, Alison Cook is worried about her son Eli, who suffers from severe epilepsy and requires constant monitoring. She shared that Eli has had seizures at school that staff did not notice. Both mothers have sought letters from doctors, insisting their children need one-on-one care. The Northern Territory has very few special schools, making it hard for parents to find better options. Cook mentioned that she feels she has no choice but to send Eli to this school, despite her concerns. Another parent, Shelby Lock, moved her son Silas out of the school after he went missing on the grounds. She was unhappy that the staff could not locate him for an extended period. In response to these concerns, the Northern Territory government has promised to increase staffing at Forrest Parade School. Education Minister Jo Hersey wrote to Cook, mentioning plans to recruit an additional nurse for better care. The government stated it is committed to enhancing support for students with disabilities and has increased funding for special schools this year.