The Liberal Government is delivering on its commitment to create a job ready generation, with the next stage of our $45 million dollar plan to extend high schools to year 12.
While our plan is to extend four high schools next year, we have had nine schools put their hand up to be considered in the first group of schools.
This follows a letter being sent to 28 regional and rural high schools in Tasmania inviting formal expressions of interest last month.
It is extremely encouraging we have had over double the number of schools apply, compared to actual places.
This response demonstrates that there is no shortage of schools eager to adopt our plan to improve year 12 completion rates by providing another option for students at danger of dropping out post year 10.
Staff from the Education Department will now visit these schools to discuss their plans for delivering years 11 and 12.
I expect to receive a recommended list of schools for consideration by the end of June, with further announcements to be made once discussions and consultation are complete.
Schools that miss out on being approved for extension to year 11 and 12 next year, will be reconsidered for 2016.
We said we would do this in our first 100 days of Government and that is exactly what we have done, getting on with tackling the jobs crisis left by Labor and the Greens.
Our plan will not only improve retention rates by providing more choices for students, it also sends a strong message to young Tasmanians their education does not finish in year 10.
Expressions of Interest were received from the following schools:
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