More Government schools to have fee-paying overseas students

24/4/00

A greater number of Western Australian Government secondary schools will have the opportunity to offer their quality education programs to overseas students.
Education Minister Colin Barnett said today that because of the effectiveness of the trial of the International Fee Paying Students program, the initiative would be extended to other selected Government secondary schools.
Mr Barnett said that in 1998, all metropolitan senior high schools were invited to express an interest in participating in piloting the program in 1999.
The program was trialled from February 1999 in six senior high schools - Churchlands, John Forrest, Melville, Mt Lawley and Perth Modern - and North Lake Senior Campus and during the year, six overseas students began their studies.
"The six students who participated in the program last year have re-enrolled, and there are an extra eight enrolments in 2000," Mr Barnett said.
"The program was so well received that it will be expanded to 10-12 schools and be reviewed when enrolments reach 100.
"Schools will again be invited to express an interest and can be selected only if they have the support of their parent groups, councils and staff.
"The selection will also be based on the school's ability to accommodate the international students and to ensure local students are not disadvantaged."
Mr Barnett said no WA student would miss out on an opportunity to attend his or her local school in favour of an overseas fee paying student.
"The full cost of educating overseas students is completely recovered by a yearly fee of $8,000 a student, which is shared between the enrolling school and the overall education system," he said.
"In the past, there have been a number of inquiries from overseas families about enrolling their children in WA Government schools and we should recognise this as a great compliment to the excellence and high quality of our education system."
The Minister said overseas full-paying students could already study in Government schools elsewhere in Australia and in Perth's two senior colleges - Canning and Tuart Colleges.
"The overseas students' program complements the very successful international secondary student exchange program and study tours offered by many schools, from which all students - local and overseas - benefit educationally and culturally,"
Mr Barnett said.
Media contact: Diana Callander 9222 9699