Launch of Education Week 'Gov't Schools: Excellence in Education'

October 20, 1997

Education Minister Colin Barnett said today that the Western Australian education system had much to celebrate at the start of Education Week for 1997, and much to look forward to as the 21st century drew nearer.

Launching Education Week, Government Schools: Excellence in Education, Mr Barnett said schools and school communities deserved to be proud of their achievements over the past year, a time which had seen many significant initiatives introduced and implemented across the whole WA education sector.

These initiatives included:

·      a comprehensive strategy to address the education of Aboriginal students in WA;

·      consultation on the draft School Education Bill 1997;

·      a $38 million four-year program to boost the use of technology in schools;

·      release of the draft Curriculum Framework applicable for all students from kindergarten to year 12;

·      the announcement of a change to school starting age and expansion of the Early Childhood Education program;

·      a $3.7 million initiative to boost vocational education opportunities for year 11 and 12 students; and -

·      the release and implementation of the Local Area Education Planning framework.

Mr Barnett said he recognised that school communities had been asked to consider many changes in the past year but the initiatives were keeping WA education in line with society's expectations and, in many cases, were leading other education systems around Australia.

"The draft curriculum framework has attracted a significant amount of positive interest since it was launched earlier this year," he said.

"It is a milestone for education in WA and is leading curriculum development in other States.

"Since August, more than 600 submissions have been received and more than 104 information sessions have been run for teachers, principals and school communities. So far, the response has been very positive with comments that the curriculum will allow a lot of flexibility for teachers to teach in a way that is specific to their students and school environment.

"Public submissions on the draft framework will be accepted until the end of January."

Mr Barnett said the community's expectations of students, teachers and schools were continually increasing and were being brought to public attention more than ever before. He said literacy had been highlighted as a national education issue in the past year and WA schools were being recognised for their successful work in this area.

"Programs such as First Steps and Stepping Out have gained wide acclaim and I believe are one of the reasons why WA's literacy levels appear to be better than in other States," he said.

"Our students have also won international recognition for their achievements in maths and science.

"Education must respond to, and keep pace with, the expectations of the wider community. Our students must have acceptable literacy levels so they have basic skills to be employed or go on to further education.

"They now must also be computer literate so they are prepared to enter into a dynamic technological world. Expectations of schools to provide the foundations for our children's future are continuing to grow.

"I encourage school communities to grasp these opportunities."

Mr Barnett said having visited more than 240 schools since becoming Education Minister, he was able to say first-hand that there was much to celebrate during Education Week.

"There are more than 258,000 students and 20,000 teachers in 768 Government schools who can celebrate their achievements this w," he said.

"Students' work from non-Government schools is also entered into the Quest for Excellence Awards, to be presented this Thursday night.

"As individual schools and students, they have many achievements to be proud of, just as they do being part of a very successful Government school system in the State. This year's Education Week theme of Government Schools: Excellence in Education, is most appropriate and sets the scene for continued improvement and success in schools."

Mr Barnett said schools of the future would be characterised by more local decision-making and greater self-management.

While the new Education Act would provide the legal parameters for this type of change, school communities themselves would make it happen.

"The basics have been prepared for greater self-management by schools," the Minister said.

"Initiatives such as local area education planning, local and merit selection of teaching staff in schools and the growing links between industry and schools in the area of vocational education will see more decision-making happen at a local level than ever before.

"I think this is a very positive move, but it must happen at a pace acceptable to the schools themselves. Devolution, or greater self-management, will evolve as schools are ready to take it on. This will be at a different time and different pace for every school."

Mr Barnett said that over the next 12 months, there would be a strong focus on reorganising the personnel practices of the Education Department to ensure greater clarity and fairness in areas such as promotion for teachers. Particular emphasis would also continue in the key areas of Aboriginal education and vocational education.

Media contact: Justine Whittome (08) 9222 9699