Parents get support to move students to new schools

Published Tuesday, 17 September, 2013 at 03:08 PM

Minister for Education, Training and Employment
The Honourable John-Paul Langbroek

Parents of students attending six schools that will close permanently at the end of the year will be eligible for an allowance of between $500 and $750 to help them move to a new school, the State Government announced today.

Education, Training and Employment Minister John-Paul Langbroek said he had weighed up a range of issues including enrolments, accessibility, curriculum and resource levels, before deciding which schools would close and which would remain open.

The schools that will remain open are:

·         Everton Park State High School and

·         Wyreema State School

The schools that will close after the last day of Term 4 this year are:

·         Charlton State School

·         Fortitude Valley State School

·         Nyanda State High School

·         Old Yarranlea State School

·         Stuart State School

·         Toowoomba South State School

Mr Langbroek thanked all of the eight school communities for their participation in the recent community consultation process.

“This will be a challenging time for the affected school communities and I assure everyone concerned that the education and welfare of our students continues to be my highest priority,” Mr Langbroek said.

“Between now and the end of the school year, Student Transition Kits will be developed for all students to help them move to their new school from the start of 2014.

“Parents of all primary students, except those completing Year 7 are eligible for an allowance of $500, and parents of secondary students, except those completing Year 12 are eligible for an allowance of $750.

“This will cover out of pocket expenses for new school uniforms and other incidentals.

“Students who live more than 3.2 kilometres from the nearest state primary school or more than 4.8 kilometres from the nearest state secondary school may also be eligible for financial assistance through the Department of Transport and Main Roads’ School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS).

“Financially disadvantaged students who live within these distances may also be eligible for further transport subsidies.”

Mr Langbroek said the school closures were not about making money and any funds would be reinvested to improve school infrastructure.

“The Newman Government has increased education spending in this year’s budget by 6.5 per cent,” he said.

"We have also committed $1.3 billion of new spending over the next six years, in addition to $537 million for Great Teachers = Great Results."

Mr Langbroek said the establishment of the Schools Planning Commission, a Newman Government election commitment, had delivered a 20-year demand map.

“This is the first time Queensland State, Catholic and Independent sectors have collaborated closely with local government, parents and other relevant organisations to coordinate future school locations and upgrades,” he said.

“As a result, the State Government has announced plans to deliver 11 new schools in Queensland’s growth hot spots – three secondary and eight primary schools - with the first of the new schools expected to be open by 2015.”

Mr Langbroek said the Government was being economically responsible by managing existing school infrastructure and investing strategically in the future education of Queensland students.

He also attacked the former State Labor Government’s ad hoc approach to managing our schools.

“The Goss, Beattie and Bligh Governments closed 139 schools between them,” he said.

“That’s an average of seven schools per year during their 20 years in power.

“The Newman Government is committed to the long term sustainability and improvement of education in Queensland.

“As the Minister for Education, it’s my job to make the tough decisions, but I am confident this will help our students receive the best education in the best facilities.”

A free call number has been set up to assist community members should they require additional information regarding the school closure decisions  – 1800 282 353.

[ENDS] 17 September 2013            

Media contact: Danyelle Nolan 0408 410 930