Reforms mean greater empowerment and flexibility for schools

The second stage of the State Government's election commitment to hand greater control to schools and their communities will result in greater empowerment and flexibility for schools to meet their own needs.

The new arrangements announced this week will ensure that school support services, currently operating from district education offices, will move to schools, giving principals and staff a greater say in how these services are delivered and used, and therefore enhancing support to schools.

To support the new structure, Education Minister Liz Constable said there would be regional education offices at Stirling, Fremantle, Broome, Karratha, Northam, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Bunbury and Geraldton, and local education offices in Beechboro, Mandurah, Cannington, Narrogin, Esperance, Albany and Manjimup, which will continue to provide support to schools, students and parents.

"The new structure recognises that one size does not fit all and provides greater empowerment and support for schools by locating essential support services, like psychologists, in or nearer schools," Dr Constable said.

"This new support structure, that delivers vital services to students and schools, will have the flexibility to respond to local issues in relevant ways to local communities, resulting in better education services.

"What is appropriate in the metropolitan area may not always be appropriate in country and regional areas and the new arrangements strengthen representation of country areas at the most senior decision-making level of the Department of Education through new regional executive directors.

"Local representation will remain with regional and local education offices throughout the State.  Wherever an office exists now, it will continue and the changes will not result in any office closures.

"In keeping with the election commitment, any savings will be reinvested into support for schools - this is not a cost-saving exercise."

In addition, school networks led by experienced network principals, would provide personalised, local support to schools, resulting in greater curriculum choices for students; increased access to specialist staff; and a smoother transition for students from primary to secondary schools.