Education Queensland receives international recognition for improvement

The Queensland Department of Education has received international recognition for its continuous work in improving the lives of students.

Education Minister Grace Grace told Parliament this morning the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in the United States of America has honoured Queensland for its work on improving schools around the state.

“Education Queensland was only one of three recipients from around the world to receive this prestigious award,” Minister Grace said.

“We were honoured for our exemplary continuous improvement in education and the positive outcomes this delivered for students in Queensland.

“The efforts of the Queensland Department of Education in this field will be turned into practical lessons for other jurisdictions around the world.

“The Foundation also praised our efforts to improve education in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”

Education Queensland will be officially honoured on November 21 at the Spotlight on Quality in Continuous Improvement Symposium at the National Press Club in Washington.

Minister Grace said this comes on the back of a Grattan report which identified Queensland as the star performer in school improvement across the nation.

“What this demonstrates is that Palaszczuk Government is giving every Queensland child a great start in life,” Minister Grace said.

“And providing a world class education is not possible without world class facilities.

“That’s why the Palaszczuk Government is investing record amounts in our school infrastructure.”

This year alone, a record$13.76 billion education budget is being delivered, up by $789 million compared to last year.

A record $1.5 billion school infrastructure spend will deliver eight new schools next year, another four new schools in 2021, $100 million for non-state school capital funding and will help upgrade schools from Cape York to Coolangatta. 

“Our record investment in school infrastructure means we’re catering for increased student numbers in our fastest growing regions.

“We’re building new schools on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Logan, Ipswich and in Moreton Bay.

“And following a period of unprecedented inner city growth -  two new high schools will be built here in the city, one at Fortitude Valley in 2020 and another at Dutton Park in 2021 for the first time in 50 years.

“All of this is just more proof that the Palaszczuk Government’s investment in schools and quality teachers is paying off, and giving every child a great start.”

Media contact: Laura McKee - 0451 997 920