STATE BUDGET BOOSTS MODERN EDUCATION AND TRAINING SYSTEM

More than $500 million to modernise and build schools and training facilities, more teachers and a $1.5 million commitment to drive high quality and numeracy programs in state schools are amongst the highlights of the 2007-08 State Budget.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said the Budget further underpinned the Government’s Smart State commitment to build a responsive education and training system that equipped Queenslanders for the challenges of the 21^st century.

“This is the first Budget since the Government moved to consolidate and strengthen major programs in these two dynamic, interrelated sectors by linking them in one department,” Mr Welford said.

“In total, we have committed $527 million in this Budget to school and TAFE infrastructure.

“This includes new schools on the Gold Coast, new Prep facilities statewide and new TAFE projects.

“The $35 million Queensland Academy for Health Sciences is being established on the Gold Coast and a permanent facility for the $43.3 million Creative Industries Academy will also open in Brisbane in 2007-08.

“This follows on the success of the Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology which opened at the start of this current school year at Toowong.

“Our recurrent investment in state and non-state schooling and the training sector has increased by 7.2 per cent on the 2006-07 Budget to a record $6.484 billion.”

Mr Welford said an important component of the Budget was its continued focus on the drive to improve literacy and numeracy for all students, from Prep to Year 12.

“We have allocated $1.5 million for a new numeracy initiative, which will help build teacher capacity through professional development programs and the development of teacher resources and training packages,” he said.

“It builds on the Literacy – the Key to Learning: Framework for Action 2006-2008 program announced last year.

“We are also investing $35.6 million over the next four years to improve literacy for students in all schools, with intensive literacy support being offered to upper primary students identified through the Year 5 National Benchmark Tests as needing assistance.

“As part of our commitment to achieving excellence in education and training we will also employ the equivalent of an additional 437 full-time equivalent employees to meet new growth and deliver new programs.

“Up to 192 of these positions will be teachers and teacher aides to meet enrolment growth in our state schools and support students with disabilities. Up to 195 will be allocated to the training sector.

“In 2008, Prep year will be fully implemented. A Budget allocation of $50 million will support this through the employment of more Prep teachers and providing professional development for teaching staff.

“In state schools and TAFE institutes, teachers will benefit from the Budget’s provision of $70 million over four years to supply them with classroom computers.

“In the vital area of vocational education and training the Government will invest $118 million in 2007-08 as part of its four-year $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan.

“Initiatives from this Budget include $17.1 million to create 4250 new trades training places across the state and another $13.4 million for training and career information services at 17 existing Skilling Solutions Queensland centres.”

“In addition, we are continuing our six-year capital investment program of more than $300 million under the Queensland Skills Plan.

“Projects include $33.6 million to continue construction of the $81.6 million SkillsTech Australia, Acacia Ridge campus, and $17.3 million to begin construction of two more of these specialist training centres in Mackay and Townsville.

“Education and training are key components in the Government’s vision for a Smart State and this Budget provides the funding to build a clever and skilled Queensland.”

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985