Smooth start to 2002 school year

10/2/02
The start to the 2002 school year in Government schools has been the smoothest in years despite the massive logistics involved, Education Minister Alan Carpenter said today.
"The numbers are huge with 257,000 students and 19,000 teachers at 776 Government school across the State - there were 7,000 staff movements over the summer period alone," Mr Carpenter said.
"Despite this, all teacher vacancies have now been filled though there may be some minor adjustments where the number of students enrolled at a school differs from the predicted numbers.
"An additional 50 full-time equivalent specialist numeracy and literacy teachers have been employed so far, as part of the Government's $28million Getting it Right Literacy and Numeracy Program that will employ 200 additional teachers during the term of government.
"As well, an additional 60 full-time teachers have been employed this year as part of the Government's $28million Behaviour Management and Discipline Program.
"These teachers have settled into their positions and are running induction programs and support for behaviour management and literacy and numeracy programs."
Mr Carpenter said the Department of Education had employed 411 teaching graduates this year, 280 of whom have gone to country schools.
"The smooth start to the school year was made possible by good planning, successfully filling staff vacancies, well thought-out induction programs for staff, building programs being finished on time, the start of the numeracy and literacy and behaviour management programs and the newly built schools opening smoothly," he said.
"Three new primary schools, the first stage of a new middle school, one new education support facility, major additions to two secondary schools and maintenance to 250 school were among more than $20million spent upgrading Government education facilities around the State over the summer holidays.
"The sometimes challenging area of country placements have gone well this year and I would particularly like to thank those communities for making new teachers feel welcome.
"I look forward to our schools, with the strong support of their local communities, providing a first class education for our students."
Minister's office: 9213 6800