The new $70 million Independent Public School Initiative will help local government schools to become more independent by increasing their own local governance and community and parental engagement.
Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham and Member for
Herbert, Ewen Jones, met with the administration team at Townsville’s Hermit Park State School, which became an Independent Public School last year.
“Our government is providing Queensland with $12.88 million, which will expand the roll out of Queensland’s Independent Public Schools program,” said Senator Birmingham.
‘With this funding, by 2017 an additional 130 schools will join the 80 public schools that already have independent status in the state.
“We’ve seen firsthand today what Hermit Park State School has been able to achieve by being granted greater autonomy through the Independent Public School initiative,” said Senator Birmingham.
Mr Jones said the Independent Public School initiative puts students first, by ensuring teachers, parents and the community have a greater say in how their local school is run.
“Being a father of three and having been involved in their schooling over the years, I know how beneficial this is to schools in the long term,” said Mr Jones.
“I’d encourage more local public schools to express their interest in this fantastic opportunity to become more independent and involve the whole school community in making decisions that will benefit their school and their students.”
The Independent Public School initiative recognises that best decision-making often occurs at a local level through direct response to local community needs and aspirations. The initiative was designed to encourage more Australian schools towards greater autonomy.