Page 1173 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 24 April 1990
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question from the Leader of the Opposition. I have already indicated that the Government is actively considering a process of consolidating schools in the ACT. In that regard we should, in the near future, be issuing draft guidelines for public discussion. These guidelines will set out the criteria which will be used in determining the schools to be consolidated. Of course, public comment is very welcome in that process.
It is important to appreciate that the Government is in the business of providing educational services, far more than just particular school buildings. I think it is unhelpful to talk in terms of the number of schools to be consolidated. I have estimated the number to be between 15 and 25, but that is no more than an estimate at this stage. We really need to talk about the number of student places that need to be redistributed to meet student demand effectively and economically. The reality is, as the Chief Minister has already indicated today, that the ACT schools system has up to 13,000 fewer students than places in schools in this Territory.
Mr Wood: What does that mean?
MR HUMPHRIES: Well, it means, Mr Wood - - -
Mr Wood: It is a new figure. We have never heard it before.
MR HUMPHRIES: No, it is not a new figure at all.
Mr Wood: Well, it is a new concept; put it that way.
MR HUMPHRIES: It means that it is a contrast between current enrolments at each school and the school's original design capacity. Schools in this Territory have been designed for an expanding school age population. We have a contracting school age population. The net result is that we have a considerable surplus of places over students in the system.
Mr Berry: That is a grandstand figure. It is not valid. That is shameful.
MR HUMPHRIES: I cannot hear you, Mr Berry, but I am sure the interjection is ridiculous, as usual. The reality is that we have got a problem, and the reality is that if we do not face up to this problem we put ourselves in the position of having much more serious problems in other areas. I want to provide resources for improving the quality of education in our system. That is my priority. If I face problems in that category I will face them squarely and ensure, as much as possible, as I said earlier in answer to Mr Wood's question, that the quality of our system is preserved and maintained.
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