Newman Government boosts education spending

The Newman Government is delivering on its commitment to the education, training and employment of Queenslanders by increasing spending by 6.5 per cent this financial year.

Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek said his portfolio had received a significant investment this year, targeting improved outcomes for Queensland students.

Mr Langbroek said this included $100 million to address the maintenance backlogs in Queensland state schools and funding for the Great Teachers = Great Results initiative.

“Education is central to the economic prosperity of our great state, which is why the Newman Government is investing $537 million over five years to implement Great Teachers = Great Results,” he said.   

“This year will see $1.2 million go towards ensuring professional excellence in teaching, boosting school autonomy and strengthening discipline in schools.

“Great Teachers = Great Results is a direct action plan backed by research that ensures funding is directed to where it is needed most.”

Mr Langbroek said addressing the $300 million maintenance backlog left behind by the previous Labor Government was also a key priority.

“Last year, we committed $200 million to help clear the maintenance backlogs of Queensland’s 1,240 state schools,” he said.

“This year the Newman Government is spending a further $100 million as part of the Fixing Our Schools Fund to revitalise schools and ensure students are learning in better facilities.

“The Fixing Our Schools Fund will ensure that Queensland schools are once again a place of pride for students to learn, teachers to teach and communities to gather.”

Mr Langbroek said this year’s Budget would also see a number of election commitments and initiatives continue to be delivered.

“This financial year we’ll be investing $4.9 million for 60 state schools to become Independent Public Schools as part of a $21 million funding commitment over four years,” he said.

“We’ll also be allocating 724 additional teachers and teacher aides in response to enrolment growth and students with special needs.

“This includes up to $6 million towards boosting prep teacher aide hours in schools of the greatest need, delivering an extra 9,000 teacher aide hours per week by 2015-16.”

Mr Langbroek said the Newman Government was continuing to focus on improving Queensland students’ education experience in the classroom.

“This year we are spending $6.5 million on literacy and numeracy grants as part of our Getting the Basics Right initiative in state and non-state schools,” he said.

“There will also be $3.2 million spent on extra support to students with a disability for speech pathology services in Queensland schools.

“Student welfare services and chaplaincy will also receive a boost with an extra $250,000 committed by the Newman Government.”

Treasurer and Minister for Trade Tim Nicholls rebuilding the State’s finances would enable the Government to deliver better services for all Queenslanders.

“The Newman Government is unashamedly pro-growth, and we know education is an investment in the future,” he said.

Mr Langbroek said the Budget delivered on the government’s commitment to revitalise frontline services.

“This year we have focussed on investing heavily in giving children access to a better education to ensure Queensland remains a great State with great opportunity well into the future.” 

[ENDS] 4 June 2013

Media contact: Danita Goodwin 0439 886 652