Queenslanders to have final say on education

Queensland families will have a direct say on the future education of their children with the Newman LNP Government calling for more community input on the strong 30-year plan to revitalise our school system.

Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek released the draft Education Accord which set the priorities for Queensland schools to 2044.

“We must have a focus on the future of education and no longer accept the year by year approach that previous governments have had,” Mr Langbroek said.

“This Education Accord is part of our strong plan to give Queensland children a brighter future, in all sectors – state, independent and Catholic.

“The draft builds on the community’s aspirations in the Queensland Plan and has been developed after extensive input from Queenslanders over the past year.

“Queenslanders told us their priorities for education online, at an industry breakfast, through electorate submissions and student videos and at the Accord Summit in September. 

“All Queenslanders will now have a chance to comment on the draft Accord during the next three months.

“A final Accord with key goals and a set direction to reach them will then be released next year.”

The draft Education Accord is a shared vision that sets clear priorities, including:

• Improving teaching quality
• Lifting school autonomy and accountability
• Strengthening leadership
• Engaging parents and community
• Individual learning needs

Mr Langbroek said the draft Accord focused on what mattered – that all Queensland students had strong foundation skills in literacy and numeracy to support their roles as critical and creative thinkers, problem solvers and doers.

“During the consultation process Queenslanders told us that students need to be globally aware and have broader language and cultural competencies than at present,” he said.

“At the same time community feedback stressed the need for students to embrace lifelong learning and be well-rounded and socially and emotionally healthy people.

“Based on consultation to date, the draft Accord addresses the major challenges facing schools of tomorrow.”

Teaching principal Kayte Gillinder from Murray River Upper State School in Far North Queensland, who attended the summit as a parent representative, said the process had been very valuable.

“A major positive has been that the decision-makers are listening to the needs of different schools and students,” Mrs Gillinder said.

“It will be wonderful to see the plans put in place as the end result of the Education Accord process.”

Mr Langbroek said a 15-member panel was being selected from more than 400 Summit participants to represent an educational and geographical cross-section of the state’s population.

“The panel will help fine-tune the draft into the final document to be released next year,” he said.

He encouraged all Queenslanders to view the online draft and have their say and contribute towards shaping the final Accord in 2015.

The draft Accord is available online for public comment until the end of February 2015. Visit, http://deta.qld.gov.au/about/educationaccord/.  

[ENDS] 4 December 2014

Media contact: Danita Goodwin 0439 886 652