The Hodgman Liberal Government is delivering on our long-term plan to improve educational outcomes and break the cycle of disadvantage by providing young Tasmanians access to education no matter where they live in the state.
I am pleased to announce that from today all district and high schools will again be able to express interest in providing years 11 and 12 from 2018, joining the 30 schools across Tasmania already signed up to take this important step.
With students in this state currently receiving as much as two years less education than their interstate counterparts, we cannot expect to do better if we continue to operate in the same way.
This Government recognises that barriers such as travel and finance can impact on students ability to complete their education, and by extending high schools to Year 12 we help remove the perception for many in the community that schooling finishes at Year 10.
This is not about taking students away from colleges, it's about getting more students who currently don’t go on to our College system to finish Year 12.
Innovative partnership delivery models between colleges and high schools have emerged through this important initiative, such as the teggana coalition on Hobart's Eastern Shore where local high schools and Rosny College work together to build an aspirational culture.
Extending schools to years 11 and 12 combined with the historic Education Bill 2016 demonstrates this Government’s commitment to reform education and create a job ready generation of young Tasmanians.
Latest results show strong increases in the number of students completing Year 12, with the apparent retention rate in years 10 to 12 increasing from 70.1 per cent in 2014 to 73.8 per cent in 2015.
Since 2014 there has been a 57 per cent increase in enrolments in the first 12 high schools to extend.
Today’s expression of interest is open to all Government district and high schools, noting the decision to apply to extend from 2018 is undertaken by each school in close consultation with their school community.
Expressions of interest close on 9 December, with the additional high schools accepted to extend to Year 12 announced by the end of the year.
For a listing of current and future extension schools go to tased-schools-11-12.blogspot.com.au/.
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