School Viability Report Accepted

The Minister for Education and Skills, Nick McKim, today announced a new, transparent process to determine the viability of Tasmanian Government schools.

Mr McKim said State Cabinet had agreed to all eight recommendations contained in the School Viability Reference Group Report.

“This new, transparent process will allow communities to have a stronger voice in deciding the future of their schools,” Mr McKim said.

“The Government has accepted in full the advice of the Reference Group and listened to the loud and clear message from the community.

“The Reference Group consulted with more than 300 individuals and organisations across the State during the consultation period before preparing their report.

“The effect of Cabinet’s decision to adopt the Reference Group’s process, is that no school could be identified for potential closure before June 2014 and no school could close until the end of 2015.

“The Cabinet decision to accept in full the Reference Group’s Report recommendations now provides certainty to school communities on a process to assess school viability.

“Today’s announcement is historic in that, for the first time, Tasmania has a long term, strategic approach to school viability that is centred around improving educational outcomes rather than simply responding to economic imperatives of the day.

Mr McKim said the Government was not walking away from the challenge it faces with a declining student population.

“I have also asked the Department of Education to develop a package of incentives to encourage schools to voluntarily shape a better future for their students.

“This could involve schools improving learning opportunities for their students by moving to, for example, a dual campus model, a learning federation, amalgamations or even closures, all on a voluntary basis with financial assistance from the Government.

“The Government will consider this incentive package as part of the 2012 State Budget process.

“I want to reinforce that there is no list of schools marked for closure.”

Mr McKim said under the new process, a review of current policies and guidelines relating to school catchment areas and enrolments at Tasmanian Government schools would be undertaken.

“Subsequent to these reviews, we will also review the current school transport system will also be done by DIER that will consider a range of options around school transport subsidies.

“The consultation with schools on their viability is two pronged, with an emphasis on the timely provision of information to schools against the agreed criteria and also a more formal assessment with educational outcomes for students underpinning all considerations.

“This information will be provided to all schools on an annual basis.

“This is about respecting schools and school communities by providing more up-to-date information which will empower them to take more responsibility for their school’s future.

“The social and economic impact of any potential school closure may also be considered on a case by case basis by Cabinet.

“I believe we now have the right processes in place to allow for full and genuine consultation with communities.

“The new process will guide school viability for the coming decades in Tasmania.

“I will be writing to all School Associations to confirm these new arrangements.

“We will also be drafting amendments to the Education Act to enshrine the Reference Group’s process in legislation.”