Record investment in Tasmania’s future through education

12 November, 2020

Jeremy Rockliff MP

2020-21 Budget: Record investment in Tasmania’s future through education

The Tasmanian Government is investing a record $7.5 billion over the forward estimates into education and training as part of our plan to rebuild a stronger Tasmania.

We know that education is a major contributor to improving social and economic outcomes in our State, including health, happiness, life expectancy and productivity.

That’s why in the 2020-21 State Budget we are continuing to employ additional staff in Government schools in line with our commitment of 358 more staff, including 250 additional teachers, by the end of 2024.

The Budget includes $38.9 million to employ 87.25 teacher FTEs, reducing the instructional load for primary school teachers by one hour per week and enabling teachers more time to lesson plan.

A further $12.8 million will be invested in an additional 35 quality teaching coaches, including six new Lead Numeracy Coaches for 2021, and a further 29 coaches for 2022.

Investment in the Budget will also continue to support learners to succeed with $36 million to continue our commitment of expanding all Government schools to Year 12.

A total of 47 schools have already been extended to Year 12, with a further nine to commence in 2021, leaving one to be extended in 2022.

Other significant educational investments included in the 2020-21 State Budget include:

• $6.6 million to engage and empower our learners in senior secondary education through providing flexible learning pathways to and from Years 9 to 12, with a focus on school-based apprenticeships;
• $1.2 million to engage parents as partners in student learning by providing families with greater access to information on their child’s progress and achievements;
• $3.2 million for the Students System Renewal including a Case Management Platform to deliver a cross-agency view of learners facing vulnerability;
• $53 million across the forward estimates for the Educational Adjustments model for students with disability to continue building participation and engagement for students with disability;
• $14 million to expand the Student Assistance Scheme which waives the cost of Government school levies for eligible students; and
• $14 million for supporting mental health and wellbeing in our schools, including students impacted by trauma.

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The importance of education and supporting our learners has been further highlighted following the challenges of COVID-19, and our commitment to improving education and supporting our economic recovery is evident in this Budget.

It also supports the Premier’s Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council (PESRAC) recommendations of accelerating existing strategies to deliver improved educational opportunities that meet individual student needs, and provide clear pathways to jobs as well as supporting our most vulnerable students across all sectors.