A bright future assured

TASMANIA’S education system has improved a lot in four years. Our students are finally getting the education options they deserve, and results are improving.

Following the March state election, the majority of Tasmanians have shown their support for the Hodgman Liberal Government to continue with our plan to see schools extended to Year 12.

I’m proud to say that since 2014 we’ve seen 38 schools extended, and the proportion of students attaining their Tasmanian Certificate of Education has risen by almost 10 per cent since Labor was in government.

By 2022 all high schools in Tasmania will offer education to Year 12.

Extending schools to Year 12 provides the greatest opportunity for our students to complete their secondary education, which we know will lead to better job opportunities and improved quality of life.

As we continue the roll out of extension schools under our new Job Ready Generation 2.0 policy, five more schools will be extended from 2019 — Kings Meadows High School, Prospect High School, Parklands High School, Penguin District School and Winnaleah District High School.

Partnerships between schools and senior secondary colleges will continue to be encouraged, because colleges are and will remain an integral part of Tasmania’s education system.

Our plans for education include more new and upgraded schools and we will begin consultation and planning for the tender and construction of the $20m redeveloped Penguin District School as a K-12 school; the $22 million rebuild of Sorell High School as a K-12 school; the new primary school to be built at Legana; the $20m rebuild of Cosgrove High School to Year 12; and the new Year 7-12 Brighton High School.

Our schools will be supported with the employment of 250 additional teachers over six years, and the roll out of the Workforce Strategy in education.

Education begins before a child first enters school and we are working hard to increase participation in quality early learning programs including providing free preschool for disadvantaged or vulnerable three-year-olds from 2020.

We know there is more to do, which is why we have a target to increase the retention rate of Year 10-12 students to at or above the national average by 2022, and to have 75 per cent of all students in Year 12 complete their TCE by 2022.

Our plan will continue improving educational attainment and completion in Tasmania, from the early years through to Year 12 so more young people stay in school and training for longer and achieve more in their future.

Education begins before a child first enters school and we are working hard to increase participation in quality early learning programs