Jeremy Rockliff: Growing Support for High School Extension

The support for the Liberal Government’s plan to extend Years 11 and 12 in rural and regional high schools continues to grow.

A tenth school, St Helens District High, has expressed interest in joining the first stage of our $45 million plan that will improve educational outcomes.

While St Helens District High’s expression of interest was sent but not received before the initial cut-off date, I have accepted the application.

Initial conversations with the 10 schools will begin this week.

Senior officers from the Department of Education will then recommend four schools to begin delivering Year 11 from the start of 2015.

I will announce the four schools in June.

Tasmanian schools have shown overwhelming support for our plan.

In the first year alone this Government has already received expressions of interest from half of the number of schools required to reach our extension target set for our first four years of Government.

This is an important step in our Government’s commitment to improve retention rates, create a job ready generation and ensure students have the necessary skills to reach their full potential.
Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Education and Training