State schools benefit from less red tape

Families across the state are benefiting from the removal of senseless bureaucracy in schools, as part of the Queensland Government’s strong plan to cut red tape.

Education, Training and Employment Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the second edition of the Queensland state schools Red Tape Reduction booklet provided a list of actions the department was taking to reduce the administrative burden for school principals.

“The Newman Government promised at the election to revitalise frontline services and streamlining administration in our schools is just one way of achieving this,” Mr Langbroek said.

“Under Labor, principals were getting bogged down in red tape, which prevented them from spending their time working directly with teachers and students.

“The Newman Government is slashing red tape so principals can focus on what’s really important - improving student outcomes and creating a brighter future for them and their families.”

Mr Langbroek said the booklet clearly set out the 46 ongoing and completed actions.

“We have enlisted the help of an advisory council made up of experienced principals who have been working to identify practical options to reduce red tape,” he said. Testimonials below.

“This kind of grass roots knowledge and expertise has resulted in simple, common-sense solutions to tedious issues, such as reducing the number of forms to be filled out and minimising duplication.

“Examples of completed actions include less administration involved in the sale of low-cost assets and fewer paperwork approvals for school excursions.

“We’ll continue to work to address the remaining actions and reduce the bureaucratic burden on our schools so that educators can get on with the job of teaching young Queenslanders.”

To find out more visit www.education.qld.gov.au/redtape-reduction

Testimonials

“I really appreciate that we are working together to make things easier for principals… so we can spend more time on core business that is improving student outcomes.” – Karen Tanks, Principal, Rochedale State High School

“The red tape reduction team is currently working with HR to streamline a number of processes to ensure that principals have greater autonomy in managing school-based staff.” – Corinne McMillan, Principal, Glenala State High School

“Principals have found the team at OneSchool highly receptive to all issues raised by the red tape reduction committee and have developed successful outcomes that benefit every staff member who works in a school.” – Patrick Murphy, Principal, Ashgrove State School

[ENDS] 20 June 2014

Media contact: Danita Goodwin 0439 886 652