Page 2875 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 14 August 2018
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
invests in delivering priority outcomes from the future of education community conversation to improve teaching and learning in every local school and see our kids reach their potential.
We are meeting the growth challenge. The 2018 budget will deliver new and expanded schools for Canberra’s growing suburbs, as well as recruiting more teachers and enhancing learning opportunities to continue strengthening our city’s world-class education system.
There is $31.1 million for teachers and support staff to deliver schooling to more than 1,000 additional students as our school population grows. This is equivalent to 66 full-time learning professionals and support staff. $47 million has been allocated to construct a new P-6 school in Molonglo, and planning will begin for a year 7 to 10 campus so that families in that community can have the confidence that high quality public education in modern learning facilities will be available. The school will be ready to accept students from the start of the 2021 year, with places for 600 students from kindergarten to year 6 and 44 places for preschool children.
The government will continue to support growth in enrolments across Gungahlin, adding a further 500 spaces by expanding existing capacity at Amaroo, Gold Creek primary and the Franklin early childhood schools. The government will also complete feasibility and planning for another new school in Gungahlin, and for permanent expansion of the Franklin Early Childhood School to become a P-6 school.
Right across the ACT there are ageing schools, some of which are 40, 50 and 60 years old. The government is investing in these schools. The budget also continues its work on the modernisation of Campbell Primary School, as well as Narrabundah College, refurbishing these buildings to provide better learning environments and modern facilities, investing a further $20 million in these projects.
This government has recognised the importance of early childhood education in lifelong learning outcomes, and over four years will provide $6.7 million to continue work on a comprehensive early childhood strategy to promote equity and quality in ACT schools. The aim of the strategy is for children to participate in quality early childhood education and care prior to their starting school. The strategy will focus on four key elements: increasing access, equity and affordability; enhancing workforce and qualifications; ensuring seamless transitions from education and care; and maximising the benefit to children from money spent.
Consultation is being held with the early childhood education and care sectors, through the Early Childhood Advisory Council, and with the community at large, through the ACT government your say website. On 31 July I announced that work was commencing to introduce the phased implementation of 15 hours per week, 600 hours per year, of free, quality early childhood education for three-year-old children in the ACT.
On the future of education, since February 2017 I have been talking with the community about what they want for the future of schools and education in the ACT. We have heard from over 4,500 individuals, from school communities, including
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video