A nine-member Reference Group has been established by the Tasmanian Government to investigate the viability of Tasmanian Government schools.

 

The Minister for Education and Skills, Nick McKim, said that the Reference Group, to be chaired by businessman and Learning Services North-West School Improvement Board chair, Royce Fairbrother, would consult widely and advise him on a new process to address concerns about the viability of some Tasmanian Government schools.

 

“The fact is that Government school enrolments are declining significantly every year and we need to address this challenge. In the past four years, student numbers from Kinder to Grade 10 have declined by approximately 3000 students, costing us $4 million per annum in Australian Government funding,” Mr McKim said.

 

“We need to develop a sustainable school system which can deliver the best educational outcomes for Tasmanian students in the face of demographic change and declining enrolments.”

 

Mr McKim said that the Reference Group would consult widely in preparing recommendations for him on the provision of a viable government school system in Tasmania including: 

  • The process that should be undertaken to assess a school’s ongoing viability including the criteria, the consultation process to be used and any transition arrangements required;
  • Any legislative amendments if required; and
  • Any other matter that has the potential to affect school viability. 

Mr McKim said that the consultation period would end by 1 December, 2011, with the Reference Group reporting to him on or before 31 January 2012.

 

The membership of the Reference Group is: 

  • Royce Fairbrother, Chairman of the Fairbrother Group and Chair of Learning Services North-West School Improvement Board
  • Jenny Grossmith, Chair, Tasmanian State School Parents & Friends Association
  • Rob Banfield, President, Tasmanian Principals Association
  • Roz Madsen, President, Unions Tasmania  
  • Associate Professor Ruth Fielding-Barnsley, University of Tasmania
  • Jenny Cranston, former Deputy Director-General Queensland Department of Education and Training and Chair of the Tasmanian Schools Registration
  • Allan Garcia, Chief Executive Officer, Local Government of Association of Tasmania
  • Colin Pettit, Secretary, Department of Education
  • Professor David Adams, Tasmania’s Social Inclusion Commissioner

 

The consultation period will conclude by 1 December 2011 with the reference group reporting to the Minister on or before 31 January 2012.