Page 655 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 21 March 1990
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development, and I would like to talk now about high school development.
The Government strongly endorses the current project of the Department of Education to examine closely the role of high schools in the ACT education system. The early years of adolescence are a challenging period for students, parents, teachers and school administrators. The Government believes the years 7 to 10 high schools require a new approach to teaching, student welfare and administration if they are to achieve maximum effectiveness.
It comes as no surprise to members of this Assembly that, if there is a weak link in our education system, it is in high schools. That was, in part, the reason for the ACT report of 1989 on high schools entitled "Cohesion, Coordination and Communication". That report provided the impetus for development in this area. As a result of that report, five action teams of high school principals will be working in the following areas: firstly, a new vision of the nature, scope and purpose of high school education in the ACT; secondly, a system approach to the management of student welfare and behaviour; thirdly, system-wide performance indicators for high schools; fourthly, monitoring and developing the quality of teaching; and, fifthly, the possible reintroduction of the deputy principal position.
Mr Wood: I could have my job back then.
MR HUMPHRIES: You might need it, Mr Wood. I want to turn now to preschooling. A new administrative structure for preschools has been introduced in 1990. A preschool executive officer is located in each of the four regional education offices to provide advice and support on preschool education within that region. The ACT will continue to provide an excellent system of preschooling for four-year-olds, and will also allow for the early entry of children with special needs.
During 1990 the Government will examine the need to consolidate preschool services as a result of declining numbers in some areas. The preschool enrolment policy will also be reviewed, particularly in relation to the order in which vacancies are offered. Also, the Government will be investigating issues relating to the provision of educational, health care and child-care services in the early childhood years, to see whether more coherent, integrated services can be provided.
This year sees the introduction of full fee-paying overseas students to the ACT's public education system. At this time there are some 33 students of this kind in attendance at ACT schools, adding, I believe, another important dimension to the educational and cultural diversity of the ACT's school system. The fee levels have been set to cover fully all costs associated with the role of those students in our public education system, although there will be some start-up costs this year to be recovered in future years.
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