The Liberal Government is getting on with delivering our long-term plan to create a job-ready generation by extending our high schools through to Year 12.
Next week's Budget is all about keeping our promises, fixing the budget mess and laying the foundations for the future.
We must address our Year 12 completion rate, the worst of any state, if we are to educate our young people so that they are job-ready.
The first phase of this initiative will see six schools extending to Years 11 and 12 next year.
Today, I am pleased to announce that I am writing to rural and regional high schools inviting expressions of interest from those who would like to deliver Years 11 and 12 from 2016.
The Liberal Government is moving ahead with our plan faster than first anticipated to allow schools as much time as possible to discuss this opportunity with their communities.
Importantly, those schools that expressed an interest in Phase One will not have to apply again.
Schools chosen to begin delivery of Years 11 and 12 as part of Phase Two will be announced in Term 1 next year.
All schools extending to Years 11 and 12 will be resourced to hire up to five new teachers in this term of government, and, for the first time, students enrolling in these years will be funded the same as they are at colleges.
The Liberal Government will deliver on our election commitment of extending 21 high schools in rural and regional Tasmania to Year 12 in our first term, and we are making strong progress.
More Media Releases from Jeremy Rockliff
More Media Releases from the Minister for Education and Training