As 62,000 state school students pack school lunches and shoulder their backpacks for the start of another school year, I can confirm that improving education outcomes will again be a major focus of the Government this coming year.
With the economy growing and the Budget coming back under control, the Government can invest the dividends into providing a better education for Tasmanians at our 196 Government schools.
This year we will continue to progress the education initiatives we have introduced to improve educational retention and attainment for young Tasmanians.
This includes extending another six high schools to years 11 and 12. For the first time, students can complete Years 11 and 12 at Campbell Town District High School, Mountain Heights District School, New Norfolk and Glenora District High Schools in partnership, Rosebery District High School and Tasman District High School.
This initiative is sending a clear message to young Tasmanians that school does not end at Year 10, improving Tasmania’s retention rate and ensuring young Tasmanians have a better chance to get a good job and live a fulfilling life.
We will also be speeding up the roll-out and extending the initiative to include urban schools too.
Also, the start of a new school year brings the start of another very important program, Learning in Families Together.
In a major step in addressing Tasmania’s literacy and numeracy rate, the $17.75 million initiative will be delivered at 80 Tasmanian schools this year.
The Kinder to Year two program will support parents and carers to build a range of skills so they can assist the development of their child’s literacy and numeracy skills.
In coming months the Government will also be announcing proposed changes to the Education Act. This is our chance as a state to make generational change to the way Tasmanians are educated.
Ensuring that children get the best possible start in learning will provide them with greater opportunities later in life.
Once again I wish principals, teachers, parents and students all the best for the year ahead.
More Media Releases from Jeremy Rockliff
More Media Releases from the Minister for Education and Training