Education a top priority in State Budget

The Palaszczuk Government has reaffirmed its commitment to Queensland’s education sector with a $9 billion investment announced in the State Budget.

Education Minister Kate Jones said this would deliver more teachers, boost student support, improve access for students with disability, upgrade facilities and build new schools.

“The major investments include an additional $152 million over three years for an extra 875 teaching positions over and above normal enrolment growth,” Ms Jones said.

“In total, 2,500 new teaching positions will be delivered from 2016 to 2018.

“In the same three-year period we will spend $8.9 million to employ an extra 45 full-time guidance officers in state high schools.

“By 2018, this additional investment will bring the total number of government-funded guidance officer or equivalent positions in Queensland state schools to more than 550.”

The Minister said the Budget included a massive $763.4 million four-year investment in state school maintenance – an increase of $300 million – and a $456.2 million capital works program for 2015-16 for schools and early childhood education and care centres.

“This is an increase of $64 million on last year’s capital works program,” Ms Jones said.

“The capital projects include $90 million over four years for a new primary school and master planning for a new high school both in Townsville.

“We will also deliver a one-off $10 million injection this year for special education facility upgrades and $25 million over two years for a long-awaited new special school in Cairns to open in 2017.

“The $178 million maintenance investment in 2015-16 includes $4 million to improve tuckshops and amenities at schools in Queensland’s Indigenous communities.

The budget also includes an additional commitment of $41.8 million over four years for Children and Family Centres.

“This funding will ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island families can continue to access vital health, early education and support services,” Ms Jones said.

Queensland’s 10 Children and Family Centres provide essential integrated services and programs which address health, development and education needs of young children in a culturally safe environment.

“Disability support for children in kindergarten will receive a $14.2 million budget boost over the next four years which includes expenditure of $3.5 million this financial year.

“This funding represents the Palaszczuk Government’s recognition that demand for support for children with disability kindergarten is growing at an average 11 per cent per year.”

The budget includes $123.6 million over three years in capital grant funding for the non-state schooling sector to meet enrolment growth, with $41.2 million in 2015-16.

Media contact: Minister Jones’ office 3719 7530