Page 4252 - Week 15 - Tuesday, 20 November 1990
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During the period of her Government, 3,136.8 teaching days were lost through rolling strikes. A further 1,187.5 days were lost in a one-day strike in August; a total of 4,324.3 working days lost. Under the Alliance Government that number stands at 1,098, just over a quarter of the days lost under the Follett Government. Now, there is an indication, Mr Speaker, that this Government is administering the ACT school system effectively, because - - -
Mr Duby: What were those figures again?
MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Duby asked me to repeat those figures. They were: 4,324.3 teaching days lost during the Follett Government and only 1,098 lost under the Alliance Government, and that, of course, is also over a longer period. This Government has been in power now for almost a year and the Follett Government was in power for not even seven months. I think there is something to be proud about with those figures. It is an indication that there is some satisfaction - if not open and demonstrative satisfaction, at least some satisfaction - with the performance of the Government as far as some areas are concerned. That is backed up by some other very acceptable figures. The retention rates in force in the ACT remain the highest in the country, standing at 96 per cent.
Members interjected.
MR HUMPHRIES: That figure stands at 96 per cent and I think that has been attested to only recently in the recent national conference on colleges. That is an area in which the ACT shines.
It is interesting that in his remarks Mr Wood failed to address one area which I would concede is a weak spot, an area in which perhaps the system has not functioned effectively. I think our high schools are an area of some concern and we have to address that.
Mr Wood: I have said that many times, have I not?
MR HUMPHRIES: You did not in the course of today,s debate. I believe that the mounting of a substantial high school development program, as this Government has done, is an adequate and positive response to the problems we see in the area of high school education. The area of preschools has also received attention. The establishment of a preschool task force has demonstrated a very high level of parental support for government preschool education. I do not believe that that system is going to change. The Government is seeking to enhance the quality of that system by exploring a range of restructuring options which are being discussed with a range of key interest groups. We also intend to enhance the quality of teachers and we have taken initiatives to establish a program in that area.
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