Enrolments boom boosts jobs for Queensland teachers

An extra 5400 students have enrolled in state schools this year, creating another 150 jobs for teachers.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford today said students had flocked to the state school system, with the greatest increases seen in primary schools, particularly prep.

“We have seen unprecedented growth in prep enrolments this year with an increase of almost 1900 on last year,” Mr Welford said.

“It seems parents of children just starting school are choosing to send them into the state system.

“We also saw strong increases in upper secondary school with more than 750 extra students enrolling in Year 11 and more than 1000 in Year 12.

“These figures belie any suggestion that state schools are not seen as favourably as non-state schools.

“This growth underlines the importance of having a strong public education system that can respond to such spikes in demand.

“All these new students create a need for more teachers so that we can continue to meet our class size targets, which are among the lowest in the country.

“We will need around 150 teachers to fill these roles, most of which will be permanent appointments.

“This jobs boost is great news in the current economic climate.”

Mr Welford said there were a number of vacancies for Manual Arts, Maths and Science teachers.

“These are roles which have been traditionally difficult to fill because their skills were so much in demand outside of teaching,’ he said.

‘Now with demand slowing in other sectors we are hoping to see more of these skilled workers moving back into teaching where the jobs are available, secure and stable.”

Mr Welford said it was pleasing to see such strong enrolment growth in state schools.

He said the system was well equipped to cater for an increase in students.

“Our Government plans for the future, continually monitoring regions with high population growth to ensure there are local state school options for all Queenslanders,” he said.

“That’s why we opened three new schools on the northern Gold Coast this year, to cater for population increases in one the state’s fastest growing regions.

“We’ve also opened a new school this year north of Brisbane, another fast-growing area.

“State Schools are great schools, offering a curriculum range and sporting and cultural opportunities more exciting than ever before.

“School subject options ranging from academic to vocational education offered by State schools are equivalent to or exceed those offered at many private schools.

“I welcome any new students choosing to get a great education at one of our state schools.”

Media contact: Jo Crompton or Emma Clarey 3237 1000