BOOST FOR TORRES STRAIT EDUCATION

The State Government today announced a package of new measures designed to improve educational outcomes for students in the Torres Strait.

Launching the initiatives on Thursday Island, Bonny Barry, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education and Training, said they followed extensive consultation with the local community.

“A new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) acknowledges the Torres Strait Islanders’ Regional Education Council as the key community based education organisation in the Torres Strait,” Ms Barry said.

“The MOU is concerned with driving improvements in educational, training and employment outcomes for students from the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area.

“It is part of the Beattie Government’s blueprint for improving educational services in the Torres Strait, Bound for Success – Education Strategy for the Torres Strait.

“Our Government has provided $300,000 over the next three years to support the initiatives in the Memorandum of Understanding, and this has been matched by the Commonwealth.”

Ms Barry said the Government was establishing the Tagai State College to provide a more consistent curriculum, application of assessment and monitoring of students’ performance.

“This is a ‘virtual’ college which creates an overall entity for the 17 schools in the Torres Strait and accounts for 1789 students and 147 teachers,” she said.

“As well as promoting more consistency, the College will also provide better support for students when they move from the outer islands through their schooling.

“It will also enable more opportunities for the professional development of teachers.

“A cultural awareness package has also been developed with the support of the Torres Strait Island community to assist new teachers better understand the community, in particular their island placement and their Torres Strait students.”

Media contact: Greg Milne or Marnie Stitz on 32371000