Opposition urged to adopt bipartisan approach on education devolution

18/10/94

The State Opposition has been urged to adopt a bipartisan approach to the issue of the progressive devolution of education decision-making to school communities.

Education Minister Norman Moore said today recent public comments by the Opposition were hypocritical and ignored the history of the issue.

"The previous Labor Government, under the then Education Minister Bob Pearce, produced the 'Better Schools in Western Australia' document' in 1987," Mr Moore said.

"Among other things, this document included a timeline for the implementation of changes, and stated that the introduction of school-based selection of principals and teaching staff should have been fully-established by 1992.

"The Opposition's Education Spokesman John Halden appears to have either forgotten this - or to have deliberately ignored it - with his recent unfair criticism. It's time for Mr Halden to desist in his attempts to re-write history and to properly assist with the implementation of the program."

In the document Mr Pearce stated that:  'The Education Department has been involved in the gradual devolution of responsibility to schools and this process needs to be completed'.

He also said:  'It is vital that the direction and momentum for change be maintained'.

Mr Moore said that a high-powered committee - headed by respected educationalist Dr Norm Hoffman - was close to finalising its report on Devolution.  The committee, which included representation from the State School Teachers' Union, parents and business, had been canvassing public views for the past year.

The Minister would be basing any further implementation on devolution on the findings of the committee.

Mr Moore said it was past time that Mr Halden and the Opposition put aside political point scoring on education matters, and sensibly contributed to the debate.

Media contact:  Ross Storey  321 1444    222 9595