Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 11 Hansard (6 November) . . Page.. 3715 ..

MR BERRY: My question is to the Minister for Education and it is in relation to school-based management. What steps have you taken to assist schools which are having trouble managing their budgets under school-based management?

MR STEFANIAK: I thank the member for the question. I think we have had a number of questions similar to that in the past. In terms of school-based management, a number of help desks have been set up within the Department of Education and Training for schools that are having any difficulties. In relation to schools that may be having some difficulties, I have also invited other members to tell me of any specific schools that may have had any problems with it, so that I could pass that information on to the department if the schools themselves have not done so. I think that has worked pretty well over the time we have introduced enhanced school-based management, because that is basically what it is.

The ACT has had a very strong system of school-based management for a number of years now. The department has been fairly busy in terms of its help desks assisting anyone who might have had problems with school-based management. Where there have been problems which members have brought to my attention, I have endeavoured to pass those on. I think a couple of members of your party, including Ms McRae, have raised a couple of points over the last six months or so, Mr Berry, in relation to that matter.

MR SPEAKER: Do you have a supplementary question, Mr Berry?

MR BERRY: Yes, Mr Speaker. That was not a very informative reaction. How many schools are having trouble, and when are you to review the entire situation?

MR STEFANIAK: Mr Berry, I would have to find out for you how many schools have approached the department. In terms of reviewing the situation, the school-based management unit operated until the end of September. Central office is continuing to provide a high level of support to schools on these matters. The role of the school-based manager-coordinator will continue, as will the position of the resource analyst who is responsible for the allocation mechanisms.

In future, program areas within the department will take on prime responsibility for policy development and the implementation of the remaining functions to be devolved to schools. This will be coordinated through the school-based manager-coordinator for consideration by the school resources group, a forum of principals and central office staff established to monitor school-based management. The principals, registrars and bursars have also been provided with formal training in the contract tendering process.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .