Students enrolled in Launceston’s Adult Migrant English Program do not have access to toilets, a library or a prayer room, program participants say.
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Bass Labor MHR Ross Hart said he had met with dissatisfied Hazari and Nepalese students.
He was informed that 80 people had been placed in a small room at MAX Employment’s Charles Street office, with no kitchen facilities, library or prayer room on-site.
“I was stunned to hear that somebody was told to use hot tap water for a cup of tea instead of a kettle,” Mr Hart said.
An anonymous source told Fairfax Media that the program’s commencement had been delayed several weeks and that participants had found that there was a lack of teachers, classrooms and resources.
MAX Solutions’ tenure as the AMEP provider was scheduled to begin on July 1, after global education provider Navitas was awarded tenders by the federal government over previous provider TasTAFE.
In a statement to Fairfax Media, however, the anonymous source claimed the program had not commenced as planned.
“Students were told [on Wednesday] they could not use the bathrooms in the building and had to go [elsewhere] to go to the toilet,” they said.
A MAX Solutions spokesperson said the number of students that attended the Launceston site was “far greater” than it had anticipated, due to there being no requirement for students to pre-register.
The spokesperson said further classroom capacity would be provided, including an open learning area, kitchenettes and toilet access.
As for the supposed delay in the program’s commencement, MAX Solutions said it was meant to be in line with the beginning of term three of the school year.
“MAX Solutions … [is] committed ... to ensur[ing] a great experience and outcomes for all our students,” the spokesperson said.
The Australian Skills Quality Authority recently audited MAX Solutions, finding it non-compliant.