News
LNP school reforms to benefit schools and students
LNP Leader Campbell Newman has unveiled a plan to give a number of Queensland schools greater autonomy so they can deliver high quality education outcomes for their students with less bureaucracy. “A CanDo LNP Government will introduce an Independent Public Schools concept – which means state schools can have more control over their own decisions. This means independence for principals who can demand higher behavioural standards from students, and have the authority to enforce these expectations. It means independence for schools to spend their budgets in a way that will bring the most benefit to the school and their community. “
“It means the independence to hire staff to fill identified needs, and fit the school environment,” Mr Newman said.
“This tired, 20-year-old Labor Government has failed Queensland students on the basics. Education standards have collapsed in Queensland, leaving us lagging behind other Australian states.
“Our children are not getting the good solid foundation they deserve because many of them are missing out on essential educational building blocks such as literacy and numeracy.
”Mr Newman said the record number of students moving from the public school system to the private school system showed the current Labor model wasn’t working.
Under this CanDo LNP policy, around 120 Queensland State schools will be given the opportunity to volunteer to transition to Independent Public Schools over the next four years, with 30 State schools transitioning each year.
“This LNP education initiative is modelled on the outstanding success of similar programs operating in Western Australian and overseas, and will attract recently announced Federal Government educational support,” Mr Newman said.
“These schools, principals and their local communities will have greater control and ownership of their school as well as greater input into decisions that affect them.
Schools which participate will receive up to $50,000 to cover any charges associated with transitioning to these innovative reforms. In addition, Independent Public Schools will be eligible to receive up to a further $50,000 in funding each year for administrative purposes.
Shadow Education Minister Bruce Flegg said the LNP was committed to revitalising Queensland’s front line services and getting the basics right, and this policy would address important education needs now.
“Queensland students’ literacy and numeracy results were ranked last or nearly last of all states across all year levels. But all Labor can do after 20 odd years in government is to issue a discussion paper promising funds we haven’t received for children who aren’t even born yet,” Mr Flegg said.
Mr Newman said only a CanDo LNP Government will grow the economy so we can afford to give all our children the benefit of accessing and enjoying a good education.
“The Cando LNP also recently released its plan to provide tablet technology like IPads for special needs students.”
“We’ll get Queensland back on track through practical, workable, commonsense plans to revitalise frontline services like education,” he said.
