Toxic Mouse Bait Closes WA College of Agriculture at Morawa

The Western Australian College of Agriculture at Morawa is closed after highly toxic mouse bait was spread on campus. This drastic measure was taken to combat a severe mouse plague that has overrun the school, with students describing the situation as 'stepping on marshmallows' due to the sheer number of dead mice. They're stepping on them because there are so many.

A year 12 student, who wished to remain anonymous, shared her experience of navigating the campus, which was infested with mice. She said, 'I was careful where I stood because it was just like marshmallows, you're stepping on marshmallows practically.' The student also mentioned that the rodents had taken over her car, which was parked on campus, with 'hundreds and hundreds of mice jumping out underneath it.' She didn't know how to deal with the situation.

The college, located 370 kilometres north of Perth, has been closed since May 20, and students are yet to receive any indication of when it will reopen. The Department of Education hasn't provided a reopening date. They've announced that the school is undergoing a 'deep clean', but they haven't given further information. The student expressed concern about the uncertainty, stating that she was supposed to sit for externally set tasks, which are compulsory for achieving the WA Certificate of Education, but they've been postponed. She's worried about her future.

The mice plague has been a persistent issue in Morawa and surrounding communities, with farmers and residents struggling to exterminate the vermin. The use of zinc phosphide baits, which aren't approved for use in towns, residential areas, or around buildings due to their toxicity, has raised concerns among students and parents. The student's mother, who also wished to remain anonymous, echoed the concern, saying, 'These kids are at an agricultural college … they can't get their certificates if they're not in tractors, if they're not in engineering classrooms.' She's worried about her daughter's education.

The Department of Education has stated that 'precautionary work' is continuing ahead of the campus reopening. Midwest Director of Education Lisa Criddle said, 'We will provide an update to students and families once this work has been completed and look forward to welcoming them back as soon as possible.' However, the department hasn't responded to questions about when it became aware of the zinc phosphide spread or whether cleaning has started. They're not giving out much information.

The student's mother said, 'Hopefully they caught it early enough before it did any kind of damage to any of the kids.' The situation has left students and parents worried about the potential consequences of the toxic bait on their health and education. They don't know what might happen.

The WA College of Agriculture at Morawa is a working broadacre and livestock farm, where about 50 students learn hands-on farming skills. The college's closure has disrupted the students' learning, particularly for those in their final year, who are required to complete practical units. The student said, 'All of us year 12s are trying to see when we'll be able to go back to school.' They're trying to stay positive. The uncertainty surrounding the reopening date has added to the students' stress and anxiety. They don't know what to expect.

In the meantime, the Department of Education has offered alternative arrangements for impacted students, including attending Morawa District High School while the college is closed. However, the student expressed concerns about completing practical units, which are essential for her course. She's not sure how she'll finish her studies. The situation highlights the challenges faced by rural communities in managing pest control while ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff. It's a difficult situation.

The situation at the WA College of Agriculture at Morawa serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in managing pest control in rural areas, particularly when it comes to ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff. The college remains closed, and students and parents await updates on the reopening date, hoping that the situation will be resolved soon. They're waiting for news.

The college's closure has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the current pest control measures and the need for alternative solutions that balance the need to manage pest populations with the safety and well-being of students and staff. The situation continues to unfold, and it's essential to prioritize the health and education of the students and ensure that they can complete their studies without further disruption. They need a solution.

In the coming weeks, the Department of Education is expected to provide updates on the college's reopening date and the measures being taken to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff. For now, students and parents remain in limbo, waiting for a resolution to the situation and hoping that the college can soon return to normal operations. They're in a difficult situation.

The impact of the college's closure extends beyond the students and staff, affecting the broader community in Morawa and surrounding areas. The college plays a vital role in the local economy, and its closure has raised concerns about the potential economic implications. The situation continues to unfold, and it's essential to consider the broader implications and work towards finding a solution that balances the need to manage pest populations with the safety and well-being of students, staff, and the local community. They need to find a way forward.

The situation at the WA College of Agriculture at Morawa highlights the complexities involved in managing pest control in rural areas and the need for effective solutions that prioritize the safety and well-being of students and staff. The college remains closed, and it's essential to prioritize the health and education of the students and ensure that they can complete their studies without further disruption. The students' education is at risk, and they can't afford to lose more time. They need to get back to school as soon as possible.