West Australian students to get shark education classes WA kids are set to learn more about sharks through special school classes. CHILDREN will be given shark education classes to counter WA's culture of fear, with students to be taught the animals are not "man-eating machines." Classes will be offered to metropolitan schools next semester. The green group West Australians for Shark Conservation is running workshops, which involve a slide show and discussions about how much of a threat sharks actually pose. The Education Department says it is up to individual principals to decide if they want their school to host shark classes. WASC president Ross Weir said children were growing up with a disproportionate fear of sharks and his classes were aimed at putting the threat into perspective. "There's a real need for it," Mr Weir said. We need to counter this hype and get it out there that sharks aren't man-eating machines. They are very selective, intelligent hunters. It's crucial to address the negative publicity that West Australians are being bombarded with. It's crucial the younger generation are educated as to the real nature of sharks. We are not on the menu, we simply sometimes get in the way. Mr Weir said six schools so far had indicated their interest. WASC is recruiting a marine biologist to host the classes so the presentations are given by experts. Education Department director-general Sharyn O'Neill said more knowledge about sharks was "desirable." She said public schools were moving into an "era of greater independence" and "individual principals and teachers are best placed to decide whether shark-education classes could benefit their students, in consultation with their school community." "While schools can play a part, the key role in informing children and young people about issues such as sharks must be played by parents and the wider community," Ms O'Neill said. Police Minister Liza Harvey has announced that shark-spotting helicopter patrols will be extended across the South-West to give beachgoers more peace of mind on the March long weekend and at Easter. Ms Harvey also released figures showing the number of sightings this season would eclipse last year's record. Surf Life Saving WA's helicopter patrols spotted 247 sharks to the end of March last summer, while this year 246 sharks, including 22 great whites, had been spotted to the end of January. Premier Colin Barnett has funded $300,000 towards a shark watchtower at Cottesloe Beach and Opposition Leader Mark McGowan said, if he won office in next month's state election, Labor would fund a series of ocean pools to give swimmers a risk-free alternative to the ocean.