Official Launch of Education Week

21/10/96

Parents and the wider school community have shown that they are enthusiastic and highly interested in the future of education in Western Australia.

Officially launching Education Week this morning, Education Minister Colin Barnett said that there had been an overwhelming response from parents on one of the most important education issues to be discussed this decade.

Mr Barnett said that more than 1100 responses had been received on the proposed change to the starting age for Western Australian children from December 31 to June 30.

"The huge number of responses is very encouraging," said Mr Barnett. "There has been a significant amount of consultation on the issue since it was first introduced as part of the recommendations of the Scott Task Force in 1993.

"The Scott task force, which inquired into early childhood education, received 480 responses from the public," Mr Barnett said.

"So 1100 public responses on the single issue of starting age shows the high interest by the community on this issue and the future of education in this State."

Mr Barnett said that feedback on the proposal was due to an extensive public consultation period during which letters and more than 17,000 information booklets had been sent to schools, pre-schools, P&C Associations, playgroups and professional organisations. There had also been numerous meetings on the issue across Western Australia.

The Minister said he intended to make an announcement on the proposal to change the entry age in the next few weeks.

"If there is to be a change to the entry age, it will not come into force until the year 2001 so that any child currently in the education system or now born will not be affected."

Speaking at the Education Week breakfast, Mr Barnett said that visiting more than 120 schools since becoming Education Minister less than 12 months ago had convinced him that the government school system in WA had much to celebrate. "There are more than 250,000 students, 16,000 teachers and 760 schools in the government school system and 288 non-government schools with 90,000 students which can celebrate their achievements this week," said Mr Barnett.

"As individual schools, they all have many achievements to be proud of, just as they do being a part of a very successful government school system in the State.

"They are making vital links with the community, displaying the excellent work they do in hundreds of shopping centres and community venues.

"Others have thrown open their front doors and invited the community to participate in a wide variety of events and see first hand what goes on in the classroom."

Mr Barnett said in a state of 2.5 million square kilometres and 1.7 million people, 70 per cent of whom were concentrated in the greater Perth metropolitan region, the Western Australian school system faced many challenges.

"Equity is of the utmost concern," said Mr Barnett. "It is crucial that we provide equitable educational opportunities and give all children the chance to achieve to their ability in an education system of the highest possible quality."

Mr Barnett said that the Government education system would face as many demands for change in the next decade as it had experienced in the last 20 years.

"In order to provide the best possible education for our children, we have to meet the challenges presented by changes in society," said Mr Barnett.

"This includes adapting curriculum, using technology to improve learning, teaching and management in schools and allowing schools to participate in and take responsibility for local decision making.

"Community involvement is essential for a vibrant and healthy education system. It is crucial that the school community and local communities generally have every opportunity to be involved in shaping the education system through close consultation that is cooperative and flexible."

Mr Barnett said that he was proud there were so many achievement to celebrate during Education Week. The festivities will run throughout the State until October 26.

Activities during the week include a display of outstanding student art work at the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the Quest for Excellence Awards, the Aboriginal Education and Training Awards for Excellence, the Multicultural Book Competition and the Education Innovation Awards.

Mr Barnett congratulated all schools in Western Australia for their commitment to the highest quality of education for the State's children.

Media contact: Justine Whittome, (09) 222 9699 or pager 480 5614.