Driver program keeps students on track

Students from Dalyellup College who are disengaged from mainstream schooling have been given a new opportunity to shine.

Dalyellup College senior school engagement program coordinator Jaymee Job said some students had not had success in main stream schooling and were disengaged from the learning program.

"There are 10 students in the program who have been working hard to maintain a high level of attendance, good application in class and meeting our school-wide positive behaviour targets to participate in the Young Driver Development Program," Ms Job said

"The students will attend a series of five sessions and learn the basic skills and information most of us might think is common knowledge.

"After a few sessions the students work up to driving and manoeuvring a manual vehicle, changing gears, parallel and reverse parking."

Ms Job said inexperienced young drivers were at a higher risk of having a crash and this program decreased their chance of being involved in a crash.

Capel shire chief executive Paul Sheedy said the council had provided $2000 each year since 2007 to help run the program.

"We consider it to be beneficial to the community as it assists the young people to be taught to drive correctly which hopefully will reduce the risk of accidents and injury to themselves and other community members," he said.

Capel shire community development officer Greg Miller said the financial support allowed more students to take the program.