The Australian Government's $70 million Independent Public Schools initiative will fund Tasmania's new Community Empowered Schools program to increase autonomy in Tasmanian schools.
Federal Minister for Education the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said he welcomed Tasmania's commitment to putting students first and supporting government schools to operate more autonomously.
"My colleague and Tasmanian Minister for Education the Hon Jeremy Rockliff MP has shown his great enthusiasm and commitment to supporting Tasmania's public schools to make local decisions about what is best for their school," Mr Pyne said.
"The Australian Government's Independent Public School initiative is designed to encourage greater autonomy in schools and in Tasmania we can achieve this through the Community Empowered Schools program," Mr Pyne said.
Mr Rockliff said the initiative will benefit 120 Tasmanian school communities.
"Tasmanian public schools already have a high level of autonomy through school associations made up of community, parent and teacher representatives," he said.
"This funding will allow Tasmania to deliver our Community Empowered Schools program, which aims to further increase parental and community involvement in school decision-making.
"Between 2014 and 2017, Tasmania will receive $2.1 million from the Australian Government.
"Funding will go to activities that help to empower parents to be more active in schools and to support their children's learning."
Mr Pyne said the Community Empowered Schools program will directly benefit school principals, leadership teams and school communities through provision of tools, resources and training packages.
"This important part of the Government's Students First approach will allow Tasmanian schools to better meet the needs of their students and communities," Mr Pyne said.
The Government's Students First approach focuses on four key areas that will make a difference to students:
For further information, visit www.studentsfirst.gov.au
Mr Pyne's Media Contact: 0407 691 050 or pynemedia@education.gov.au
Federal Department Media Contact: media@education.gov.au
More Media Releases from Jeremy Rockliff
More Media Releases from the Minister for Education and Training