❓ Mr. Wyatt questions the status of the review regarding Year 7 students attending high school, highlighting uncertainty caused by the Minister's previous statements. The Minister responds, citing curriculum changes and the actions of non-government schools as justification for the review's delay and ongoing cabinet process.
AnsweredQoN 97Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
YEAR 7 STUDENTS — SECONDARY SCHOOL
I refer to the minister’s media reports in May 2010 in which she stated that the issue of year 7 students attending high school was “under review before it is taken to state cabinet”. (1) What is the status of this review? Has it been completed and has the matter been presented to cabinet? (2) Having created enormous uncertainty for parents attending the 2009 Western Australian Council of State School Organisations conference by raising this issue, has the minister made a decision as to the fate of year 7 students in government schools? (3) When will the minister end the concern and uncertainty she has caused thousands of Western Australian parents, students and schools, by announcing a decision on this matter? Dr E. CONSTABLE
I refer to the minister’s media reports in May 2010 in which she stated that the issue of year 7 students attending high school was “under review before it is taken to state cabinet”. (1) What is the status of this review? Has it been completed and has the matter been presented to cabinet? (2) Having created enormous uncertainty for parents attending the 2009 Western Australian Council of State School Organisations conference by raising this issue, has the minister made a decision as to the fate of year 7 students in government schools? (3) When will the minister end the concern and uncertainty she has caused thousands of Western Australian parents, students and schools, by announcing a decision on this matter? Dr E. CONSTABLE
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I thank the member for Victoria Park for the question. The issue of year 7 students and where they should be placed, whether in primary or secondary schools, was dealt with in a fashion by the former government when it was looking at this issue — Mrs M.H. Roberts : That is two and a half years old! Mr B.S. Wyatt : A decision was made by the former government, and you said you were now reviewing it. Dr E. CONSTABLE : That is where I am starting from. The decision was made by the former government that year 7 students would remain in primary schools. This of course was associated with increases in the school entry age. We now find that students are half a year older, so it was a legitimate issue to look at. At the time the independent and Catholic schools had not declared they would be moving year 7 students into high schools. We now have a dual system of year 7s in many independent and Catholic high schools, whereas year 7 students in public schools remain in primary schools. A number of people spoke to me about the effect this is having on public primary schools and the enrolment in public primary schools in the upper years, so I initiated a review. That review is very complex and has taken — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Has it gone to state cabinet yet? Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
(1) What is the status of this review? Has it been completed and has the matter been presented to cabinet? (2) Having created enormous uncertainty for parents attending the 2009 Western Australian Council of State School Organisations conference by raising this issue, has the minister made a decision as to the fate of year 7 students in government schools? (3) When will the minister end the concern and uncertainty she has caused thousands of Western Australian parents, students and schools, by announcing a decision on this matter? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Victoria Park for the question. The issue of year 7 students and where they should be placed, whether in primary or secondary schools, was dealt with in a fashion by the former government when it was looking at this issue — Mrs M.H. Roberts : That is two and a half years old! Mr B.S. Wyatt : A decision was made by the former government, and you said you were now reviewing it. Dr E. CONSTABLE : That is where I am starting from. The decision was made by the former government that year 7 students would remain in primary schools. This of course was associated with increases in the school entry age. We now find that students are half a year older, so it was a legitimate issue to look at. At the time the independent and Catholic schools had not declared they would be moving year 7 students into high schools. We now have a dual system of year 7s in many independent and Catholic high schools, whereas year 7 students in public schools remain in primary schools. A number of people spoke to me about the effect this is having on public primary schools and the enrolment in public primary schools in the upper years, so I initiated a review. That review is very complex and has taken — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Has it gone to state cabinet yet? Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
(2) Having created enormous uncertainty for parents attending the 2009 Western Australian Council of State School Organisations conference by raising this issue, has the minister made a decision as to the fate of year 7 students in government schools? (3) When will the minister end the concern and uncertainty she has caused thousands of Western Australian parents, students and schools, by announcing a decision on this matter? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Victoria Park for the question. The issue of year 7 students and where they should be placed, whether in primary or secondary schools, was dealt with in a fashion by the former government when it was looking at this issue — Mrs M.H. Roberts : That is two and a half years old! Mr B.S. Wyatt : A decision was made by the former government, and you said you were now reviewing it. Dr E. CONSTABLE : That is where I am starting from. The decision was made by the former government that year 7 students would remain in primary schools. This of course was associated with increases in the school entry age. We now find that students are half a year older, so it was a legitimate issue to look at. At the time the independent and Catholic schools had not declared they would be moving year 7 students into high schools. We now have a dual system of year 7s in many independent and Catholic high schools, whereas year 7 students in public schools remain in primary schools. A number of people spoke to me about the effect this is having on public primary schools and the enrolment in public primary schools in the upper years, so I initiated a review. That review is very complex and has taken — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Has it gone to state cabinet yet? Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
(3) When will the minister end the concern and uncertainty she has caused thousands of Western Australian parents, students and schools, by announcing a decision on this matter? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Victoria Park for the question. The issue of year 7 students and where they should be placed, whether in primary or secondary schools, was dealt with in a fashion by the former government when it was looking at this issue — Mrs M.H. Roberts : That is two and a half years old! Mr B.S. Wyatt : A decision was made by the former government, and you said you were now reviewing it. Dr E. CONSTABLE : That is where I am starting from. The decision was made by the former government that year 7 students would remain in primary schools. This of course was associated with increases in the school entry age. We now find that students are half a year older, so it was a legitimate issue to look at. At the time the independent and Catholic schools had not declared they would be moving year 7 students into high schools. We now have a dual system of year 7s in many independent and Catholic high schools, whereas year 7 students in public schools remain in primary schools. A number of people spoke to me about the effect this is having on public primary schools and the enrolment in public primary schools in the upper years, so I initiated a review. That review is very complex and has taken — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Has it gone to state cabinet yet? Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Victoria Park for the question. The issue of year 7 students and where they should be placed, whether in primary or secondary schools, was dealt with in a fashion by the former government when it was looking at this issue — Mrs M.H. Roberts : That is two and a half years old! Mr B.S. Wyatt : A decision was made by the former government, and you said you were now reviewing it. Dr E. CONSTABLE : That is where I am starting from. The decision was made by the former government that year 7 students would remain in primary schools. This of course was associated with increases in the school entry age. We now find that students are half a year older, so it was a legitimate issue to look at. At the time the independent and Catholic schools had not declared they would be moving year 7 students into high schools. We now have a dual system of year 7s in many independent and Catholic high schools, whereas year 7 students in public schools remain in primary schools. A number of people spoke to me about the effect this is having on public primary schools and the enrolment in public primary schools in the upper years, so I initiated a review. That review is very complex and has taken — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Has it gone to state cabinet yet? Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
(1)–(3) I thank the member for Victoria Park for the question. The issue of year 7 students and where they should be placed, whether in primary or secondary schools, was dealt with in a fashion by the former government when it was looking at this issue — Mrs M.H. Roberts : That is two and a half years old! Mr B.S. Wyatt : A decision was made by the former government, and you said you were now reviewing it. Dr E. CONSTABLE : That is where I am starting from. The decision was made by the former government that year 7 students would remain in primary schools. This of course was associated with increases in the school entry age. We now find that students are half a year older, so it was a legitimate issue to look at. At the time the independent and Catholic schools had not declared they would be moving year 7 students into high schools. We now have a dual system of year 7s in many independent and Catholic high schools, whereas year 7 students in public schools remain in primary schools. A number of people spoke to me about the effect this is having on public primary schools and the enrolment in public primary schools in the upper years, so I initiated a review. That review is very complex and has taken — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Has it gone to state cabinet yet? Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : That is two and a half years old! Mr B.S. Wyatt : A decision was made by the former government, and you said you were now reviewing it. Dr E. CONSTABLE : That is where I am starting from. The decision was made by the former government that year 7 students would remain in primary schools. This of course was associated with increases in the school entry age. We now find that students are half a year older, so it was a legitimate issue to look at. At the time the independent and Catholic schools had not declared they would be moving year 7 students into high schools. We now have a dual system of year 7s in many independent and Catholic high schools, whereas year 7 students in public schools remain in primary schools. A number of people spoke to me about the effect this is having on public primary schools and the enrolment in public primary schools in the upper years, so I initiated a review. That review is very complex and has taken — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Has it gone to state cabinet yet? Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : A decision was made by the former government, and you said you were now reviewing it. Dr E. CONSTABLE : That is where I am starting from. The decision was made by the former government that year 7 students would remain in primary schools. This of course was associated with increases in the school entry age. We now find that students are half a year older, so it was a legitimate issue to look at. At the time the independent and Catholic schools had not declared they would be moving year 7 students into high schools. We now have a dual system of year 7s in many independent and Catholic high schools, whereas year 7 students in public schools remain in primary schools. A number of people spoke to me about the effect this is having on public primary schools and the enrolment in public primary schools in the upper years, so I initiated a review. That review is very complex and has taken — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Has it gone to state cabinet yet? Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : That is where I am starting from. The decision was made by the former government that year 7 students would remain in primary schools. This of course was associated with increases in the school entry age. We now find that students are half a year older, so it was a legitimate issue to look at. At the time the independent and Catholic schools had not declared they would be moving year 7 students into high schools. We now have a dual system of year 7s in many independent and Catholic high schools, whereas year 7 students in public schools remain in primary schools. A number of people spoke to me about the effect this is having on public primary schools and the enrolment in public primary schools in the upper years, so I initiated a review. That review is very complex and has taken — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Has it gone to state cabinet yet? Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Has it gone to state cabinet yet? Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
(1) What is the status of this review? Has it been completed and has the matter been presented to cabinet? (2) Having created enormous uncertainty for parents attending the 2009 Western Australian Council of State School Organisations conference by raising this issue, has the minister made a decision as to the fate of year 7 students in government schools? (3) When will the minister end the concern and uncertainty she has caused thousands of Western Australian parents, students and schools, by announcing a decision on this matter? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Victoria Park for the question. The issue of year 7 students and where they should be placed, whether in primary or secondary schools, was dealt with in a fashion by the former government when it was looking at this issue — Mrs M.H. Roberts : That is two and a half years old! Mr B.S. Wyatt : A decision was made by the former government, and you said you were now reviewing it. Dr E. CONSTABLE : That is where I am starting from. The decision was made by the former government that year 7 students would remain in primary schools. This of course was associated with increases in the school entry age. We now find that students are half a year older, so it was a legitimate issue to look at. At the time the independent and Catholic schools had not declared they would be moving year 7 students into high schools. We now have a dual system of year 7s in many independent and Catholic high schools, whereas year 7 students in public schools remain in primary schools. A number of people spoke to me about the effect this is having on public primary schools and the enrolment in public primary schools in the upper years, so I initiated a review. That review is very complex and has taken — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Has it gone to state cabinet yet? Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
(2) Having created enormous uncertainty for parents attending the 2009 Western Australian Council of State School Organisations conference by raising this issue, has the minister made a decision as to the fate of year 7 students in government schools? (3) When will the minister end the concern and uncertainty she has caused thousands of Western Australian parents, students and schools, by announcing a decision on this matter? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Victoria Park for the question. The issue of year 7 students and where they should be placed, whether in primary or secondary schools, was dealt with in a fashion by the former government when it was looking at this issue — Mrs M.H. Roberts : That is two and a half years old! Mr B.S. Wyatt : A decision was made by the former government, and you said you were now reviewing it. Dr E. CONSTABLE : That is where I am starting from. The decision was made by the former government that year 7 students would remain in primary schools. This of course was associated with increases in the school entry age. We now find that students are half a year older, so it was a legitimate issue to look at. At the time the independent and Catholic schools had not declared they would be moving year 7 students into high schools. We now have a dual system of year 7s in many independent and Catholic high schools, whereas year 7 students in public schools remain in primary schools. A number of people spoke to me about the effect this is having on public primary schools and the enrolment in public primary schools in the upper years, so I initiated a review. That review is very complex and has taken — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Has it gone to state cabinet yet? Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
(3) When will the minister end the concern and uncertainty she has caused thousands of Western Australian parents, students and schools, by announcing a decision on this matter? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Victoria Park for the question. The issue of year 7 students and where they should be placed, whether in primary or secondary schools, was dealt with in a fashion by the former government when it was looking at this issue — Mrs M.H. Roberts : That is two and a half years old! Mr B.S. Wyatt : A decision was made by the former government, and you said you were now reviewing it. Dr E. CONSTABLE : That is where I am starting from. The decision was made by the former government that year 7 students would remain in primary schools. This of course was associated with increases in the school entry age. We now find that students are half a year older, so it was a legitimate issue to look at. At the time the independent and Catholic schools had not declared they would be moving year 7 students into high schools. We now have a dual system of year 7s in many independent and Catholic high schools, whereas year 7 students in public schools remain in primary schools. A number of people spoke to me about the effect this is having on public primary schools and the enrolment in public primary schools in the upper years, so I initiated a review. That review is very complex and has taken — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Has it gone to state cabinet yet? Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) I thank the member for Victoria Park for the question. The issue of year 7 students and where they should be placed, whether in primary or secondary schools, was dealt with in a fashion by the former government when it was looking at this issue — Mrs M.H. Roberts : That is two and a half years old! Mr B.S. Wyatt : A decision was made by the former government, and you said you were now reviewing it. Dr E. CONSTABLE : That is where I am starting from. The decision was made by the former government that year 7 students would remain in primary schools. This of course was associated with increases in the school entry age. We now find that students are half a year older, so it was a legitimate issue to look at. At the time the independent and Catholic schools had not declared they would be moving year 7 students into high schools. We now have a dual system of year 7s in many independent and Catholic high schools, whereas year 7 students in public schools remain in primary schools. A number of people spoke to me about the effect this is having on public primary schools and the enrolment in public primary schools in the upper years, so I initiated a review. That review is very complex and has taken — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Has it gone to state cabinet yet? Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
(1)–(3) I thank the member for Victoria Park for the question. The issue of year 7 students and where they should be placed, whether in primary or secondary schools, was dealt with in a fashion by the former government when it was looking at this issue — Mrs M.H. Roberts : That is two and a half years old! Mr B.S. Wyatt : A decision was made by the former government, and you said you were now reviewing it. Dr E. CONSTABLE : That is where I am starting from. The decision was made by the former government that year 7 students would remain in primary schools. This of course was associated with increases in the school entry age. We now find that students are half a year older, so it was a legitimate issue to look at. At the time the independent and Catholic schools had not declared they would be moving year 7 students into high schools. We now have a dual system of year 7s in many independent and Catholic high schools, whereas year 7 students in public schools remain in primary schools. A number of people spoke to me about the effect this is having on public primary schools and the enrolment in public primary schools in the upper years, so I initiated a review. That review is very complex and has taken — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Has it gone to state cabinet yet? Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : That is two and a half years old! Mr B.S. Wyatt : A decision was made by the former government, and you said you were now reviewing it. Dr E. CONSTABLE : That is where I am starting from. The decision was made by the former government that year 7 students would remain in primary schools. This of course was associated with increases in the school entry age. We now find that students are half a year older, so it was a legitimate issue to look at. At the time the independent and Catholic schools had not declared they would be moving year 7 students into high schools. We now have a dual system of year 7s in many independent and Catholic high schools, whereas year 7 students in public schools remain in primary schools. A number of people spoke to me about the effect this is having on public primary schools and the enrolment in public primary schools in the upper years, so I initiated a review. That review is very complex and has taken — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Has it gone to state cabinet yet? Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : A decision was made by the former government, and you said you were now reviewing it. Dr E. CONSTABLE : That is where I am starting from. The decision was made by the former government that year 7 students would remain in primary schools. This of course was associated with increases in the school entry age. We now find that students are half a year older, so it was a legitimate issue to look at. At the time the independent and Catholic schools had not declared they would be moving year 7 students into high schools. We now have a dual system of year 7s in many independent and Catholic high schools, whereas year 7 students in public schools remain in primary schools. A number of people spoke to me about the effect this is having on public primary schools and the enrolment in public primary schools in the upper years, so I initiated a review. That review is very complex and has taken — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Has it gone to state cabinet yet? Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : That is where I am starting from. The decision was made by the former government that year 7 students would remain in primary schools. This of course was associated with increases in the school entry age. We now find that students are half a year older, so it was a legitimate issue to look at. At the time the independent and Catholic schools had not declared they would be moving year 7 students into high schools. We now have a dual system of year 7s in many independent and Catholic high schools, whereas year 7 students in public schools remain in primary schools. A number of people spoke to me about the effect this is having on public primary schools and the enrolment in public primary schools in the upper years, so I initiated a review. That review is very complex and has taken — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Has it gone to state cabinet yet? Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Has it gone to state cabinet yet? Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is on the way to state cabinet; it is in that process. Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : That was May last year. Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : If I can leap forward to December last year, the reason it took so long is that I was waiting for the final sign-off of the first four areas of the national curriculum. That did not happen until 8 December last year. Changes were being made to the draft curriculum right up until 8 December, especially in science and mathematics. Until we had that, I was not able to be properly briefed on the impact on years 7 and 8. Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Will there be an announcement in this year’s budget? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Have you been properly briefed now, minister? Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : The issue is now in the cabinet process. It will be looked at and considered by cabinet. In due course, the member for Victoria Park and other members of this house and Parliament will be informed about the outcome of those deliberations by cabinet.
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