Call for P&C views on planned school starting age change

August 24, 1996

Education Minister Colin Barnett has encouraged Western Australia's representative organisation of Parents and Citizens' groups to present their views on the Government's proposal to change the school starting age for children.

Mr Barnett was addressing the 62nd Conference of the WA Council of State School Organisations (WACSSO) this morning at Gloucester Park.

Mr Barnett said the implications of any change made to Government schools would be significant for students, parents and teachers. He stressed that any change to the school entry age would not be implemented until after the Year 2000, and would not affect any child now born, or currently in the education system.

Mr Barnett said there had been little response to some 4,000 letters sent at the beginning of August asking district superintendents, principals, teachers in charge, playgroup co-ordinators and P&C presidents to make their views known on the starting age issue.

"There has been a good deal of discussion about this issue at a community level and I know there are many opinions on the proposal to change the starting age," Mr Barnett said.

"I am keen to see that the Director-General of the WA Education Department is well informed about the range of these ideas and opinions before she enters into discussions with representatives from other education systems around Australia on the issue.

"For this to happen, the community needs to make its views known to the department."

Mr Barnett said an information paper, including background information and options on the proposal, had been mailed to all schools and P&C associations yesterday to encourage comment before the end of Term 3 (September 27).

Addressing the conference, Mr Barnett also made reference to an extensive survey conducted of parents and students on Western Australian government schools.

The independent survey of more than 3,800 parents and 2,500 students showed 95% of the parents of Year 11 students surveyed, and 87% of Year 11 students surveyed were very highly satisfied, highly satisfied or satisfied with their school.

Mr Barnett said he was pleased at this positive message.

"The survey will be released in full by the Education Department next week. From these results I am confident it will show that children and parents are very proud of their schools."

Mr Barnett told the conference delegates that the Education Act was currently being reworked with the aim of presenting it to State Parliament mid next year.

"The Act has not been rewritten since 1928, with only amendments being made since that time," said Mr Barnett.

"It is an extremely large task to rewrite the Act and the community will be given extensive opportunity to put forward their views from early next year."

Media contact: Justine Whittome pager 480 5614