Critical education advances in first year

23/12/01
A major restructure of the Department of Education to emphasise teaching and learning, initiatives to improve numeracy and literacy, behaviour in our schools and retention rates, are among the education achievements in the Government's first year Education Minister Alan Carpenter said today.
"The emphasis in the first term has been to implement Labor's election promises and address the areas of most urgent need," Mr Carpenter said.
"While there is still a long way to go, after visiting more than 100 schools, I am confident the basis has been put in place to deliver a world-class public education system that will give our children every opportunity to obtain the level of education needed for today's rapidly changing world."
Education Reforms

• Commission the most extensive review of education in the State in two decades under Professor Robson. The review, Investing in Government Schools, and its 58 recommendations resulted in a total restructure of the department, with an emphasis on teaching and learning. It will be the basis of education in the State.

• In accordance with ALP policy and a Government election commitment, remove compulsory school fees for Years 8 - 10.

• Completion of the Post-Compulsory Education Review looking at education in Years 11 and 12.

• $28million Behaviour Management and Discipline program to improve behaviour and discipline among Years 8 and 9 students in 40 targeted high schools. The funding will reduce class sizes, train 600 teachers and be used to implement specific measures for individual schools.

• $20million for extra numeracy and literacy teachers particularly in Years 2 and 3. This will be expanded to eventually provide 200 extra teachers.

• Increase the allowance for all eligible secondary students from low-income families to $215.

• Sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the Ngaanyatjarra Council establishing the framework to deliver education in the extensive Ngaanyatjarra Lands.

• Start providing notebook computers for teachers which is a $32million unfunded commitment by the former Government.

• Replace the outdated Curriculum Council computer system that records all TEE results.

• Curriculum support material distributed to all primary schools and $1.5million spent on teacher professional support to implement the curriculum framework.

• Greater access to a range of Vocation Education Employment courses.

• $120million program to provide all Government schools with super fast telecommunications access within four years.

• Fund the Performing Arts Centre at John Curtin High School without selling off part of the school as proposed by the Court Government.

• Officially open seven High or District High Schools and four Primary schools including the Moorditj Noongar Community College - the first school in the metropolitan area for Aboriginal students.

• Announce two new primary schools, two new high schools and a new senior campus, in addition to covered assembly areas at six metropolitan and country schools.

• Open an undercover area at Coolgardie Primary School.

• Sign an historic agreement with Nyungah Elders recognising an important Aboriginal site on land for a new primary school in Swanbourne.

• Announce four new library resource centres and the refurbishment of another.

• Announce new administration areas at nine schools.

• Refurbish 13 High Schools and District High Schools.

• Provide air cooling to 10 wheatbelt schools - the first of 73 around the State to receive air cooling over four years.

• More than $161million in recurrent funding to the State's 306 non-Government schools.

• $30million in low-interest loans to 74 projects undertaken by 61 non-Government schools.

• Return Vacswim to the Department of Education saving more than $60,000 a year and making it easier for students to take part.

• In line with ALP policy, giving schools the right to choose contract cleaners or employ their own cleaners.

• Set up an inquiry into the amalgamation of Geraldton Secondary College.

• Provide a $500,000 low interest loan to help permanently establish The University of Western Australia's Albany centre.

• $1.9million in low interest loans to Notre Dame University.

• Dump the Court Government's plan to sell part of Edith Cowan University's historic Claremont campus for housing. Instead, ECU will be able to lease the site for use by the education or health sectors. The Government also granted ECU an endowment of up to $40million by allowing it to sell off its Churchlands site.

• Play a more direct role in tertiary education by having the Minister chair at least two meetings a year of the High Education Council made up of the Vice Chancellors of the State's five universities.

• Taking the first steps to facilitate a venture involving three universities in providing higher education in Geraldton.

• An extra $500,000 over four years for Sports Challenge.

• More level three teachers.

• Provide scholarships for teachers.

• Provide funding for the Family links program to better involve parents in the school community.

• Increased funding for children with disabilities.

• Increased funding for teacher professional development.