HUGE BOOST FOR SCHOOLS
A RECORD $7.5bn will be invested into education and training as part of the state government’s plan to rebuild Tasmania.
Premier Peter Gut we in said the four-year funding would ensure more Tasmanians could grasp opportunities and lead a more fulfilling life.
“We believe that every Tasmanian child deserves the right to a first-class education, and we will continue to make the investments necessary to build a better education system for better education outcomes in our state ,” he said.
Education and TasTAFE infrastructure will receive a $222m investment as part of the2020-21budget.
The new $50m Brighton High School will receive $40m towards the project, which is set to deliver a state-of-the-art learning space for up to 600 students when completed.
The new Sorell School was allocated $25.3m, the new Penguin School $18.8m, and the revitalisation of Cosgrove High was allocated $20m. The new Leg an a Primary School was allocated $24m.
Six new Child and Family Learning Centres in Glenorchy, Sorell, Kingston, East Tamar, Waratah-Wynyard and Ulverstone will receive a total of $28m funding over the next four years.
In a win for the push for a new inner-city high school, a master plan for the Hobart City partner school will also be created in 2020-21, with funding of $150,000 provided for its development.
The budget will also boost teachers at TasTAFE and in the state’s schools.
More teachers are set to be employed, with $38.9 included to employ 87.25 fulltime equivalent teachers.
This is set to decrease the instructional load for teachers by one hour a week, enabling more time to plan lessons.
Schools will also be boosted by additional quality teaching coaches, with funding of $500,000 in 2020-21 and $12.8 mover four years for 35 additional coaches. Six new lead numeracy coaches will beginin2021.
An additional $2 mover two years will bring more teachers into TasTAFE, including 10 specialist teaching staff to address high-demand areas such as aged care, electro technology, plumbing and nursing.
Students living with ad isability will benefit from a boost in educational adjustment funding, with it to increase in 2020-21 from $3m to $11m. In subsequent years the model’s funding will rise to $14m.
The state government’s plan to extend all high schools to Year 12 will continue, with additional funding of $36m set to complete the plan by 2022.
About 9000 additional students will benefit from an expansion of the Student Assistance Scheme, with funding togo from $2 min 2020-21 to $4 man nu ally from 2021-22.
Mental health and wellbeing in schools will be bolstered by a $14 min vestment to support students impacted by trauma or with emotional and behaviour al challenges.
“This additional funding will support professional learning to ensure teachers and school staff have the skills and capacity to support students impacted by trauma in safe, calm learning environments,” Mr Rockliff said.