❓ A parliamentary question addresses infrastructure, funding, and staffing concerns for rural primary schools, particularly Dandaragan, as the state government introduces primary school education for four-year-olds. The response outlines funding allocations and staffing adjustments, but acknowledges Dandaragan's capital improvement request is deferred.
AnsweredQoN 351Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With regard to the introduction of primary school education for four-year-olds by the State Government in 2003, particularly rural primary schools such as Dandaragan, I ask - (1) What assessment has the State Government carried out of the adequacy of existing infrastructure and facilities, including teacher or teacher assistant resources in rural primary schools to allow for this increased intake? (2) Will additional funding be allocated to rural primary schools such as Dandaragan Primary School to assist them in making this transition? (3) If yes, how much? (4) If not, why has no funding been provided for infrastructure modifications and increased staffing to ensure that the introduction is smooth? (5) How can the minister justify increasing class sizes, which will put both the rural integrated program of years 2, 3 and 4 over the recommended allowance and, therefore, place more stress on existing staff? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) An assessment of the adequacy of facilities for early childhood classes in rural schools is conducted each year by the district education offices and incorporates local knowledge of immediate and projected needs. To determine staff needs, schools send projected student numbers to the central office and these figures are applied to staffing formulae to calculate teacher and teacher assistant allocations. (2)-(4) An amount of $6.95 million was allocated in the Department of Education’s 2002-03 capital works program to provide additional facilities for kindergarten children who attend schools across the State in 2003. In addition, a further $2 million - $1 million in 2002-03 and $1 million in 2003-04 - was allocated to enable improvements to be made in those rural primary schools that are operating under the rural integration program. Although it was not possible to allocate funding for capital improvements at Dandaragan Primary School this financial year, the school will receive serious consideration when the 2003-04 program of work is compiled. In addition, the school has submitted a list of extra equipment that will be required to conduct a kindergarten program for the first time from 2003. This list is being assessed for support. Due to the size of Dandaragan Primary School’s kindergarten intake, combined with its preprimary intake, it will receive an additional 0.5 teacher assistant time in 2003. The teacher allocation for the school for 2003 will also increase from 4.2 FTEs in 2002 to 4.25 FTEs in 2003. (5) Schools have significant flexibility to determine class sizes based on their staffing allocations. Dandaragan Primary School will have more than sufficient teacher FTEs to form classes from kindergarten to year 7 within recommended class sizes. It is expected to have 66 kindergarten to year 7 students in 2003, and will have a teacher allocation of 4.25 FTEs, plus an increased teacher assistance allocation.
(1) What assessment has the State Government carried out of the adequacy of existing infrastructure and facilities, including teacher or teacher assistant resources in rural primary schools to allow for this increased intake? (2) Will additional funding be allocated to rural primary schools such as Dandaragan Primary School to assist them in making this transition? (3) If yes, how much? (4) If not, why has no funding been provided for infrastructure modifications and increased staffing to ensure that the introduction is smooth? (5) How can the minister justify increasing class sizes, which will put both the rural integrated program of years 2, 3 and 4 over the recommended allowance and, therefore, place more stress on existing staff? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) An assessment of the adequacy of facilities for early childhood classes in rural schools is conducted each year by the district education offices and incorporates local knowledge of immediate and projected needs. To determine staff needs, schools send projected student numbers to the central office and these figures are applied to staffing formulae to calculate teacher and teacher assistant allocations. (2)-(4) An amount of $6.95 million was allocated in the Department of Education’s 2002-03 capital works program to provide additional facilities for kindergarten children who attend schools across the State in 2003. In addition, a further $2 million - $1 million in 2002-03 and $1 million in 2003-04 - was allocated to enable improvements to be made in those rural primary schools that are operating under the rural integration program. Although it was not possible to allocate funding for capital improvements at Dandaragan Primary School this financial year, the school will receive serious consideration when the 2003-04 program of work is compiled. In addition, the school has submitted a list of extra equipment that will be required to conduct a kindergarten program for the first time from 2003. This list is being assessed for support. Due to the size of Dandaragan Primary School’s kindergarten intake, combined with its preprimary intake, it will receive an additional 0.5 teacher assistant time in 2003. The teacher allocation for the school for 2003 will also increase from 4.2 FTEs in 2002 to 4.25 FTEs in 2003. (5) Schools have significant flexibility to determine class sizes based on their staffing allocations. Dandaragan Primary School will have more than sufficient teacher FTEs to form classes from kindergarten to year 7 within recommended class sizes. It is expected to have 66 kindergarten to year 7 students in 2003, and will have a teacher allocation of 4.25 FTEs, plus an increased teacher assistance allocation.
(2) Will additional funding be allocated to rural primary schools such as Dandaragan Primary School to assist them in making this transition? (3) If yes, how much? (4) If not, why has no funding been provided for infrastructure modifications and increased staffing to ensure that the introduction is smooth? (5) How can the minister justify increasing class sizes, which will put both the rural integrated program of years 2, 3 and 4 over the recommended allowance and, therefore, place more stress on existing staff? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) An assessment of the adequacy of facilities for early childhood classes in rural schools is conducted each year by the district education offices and incorporates local knowledge of immediate and projected needs. To determine staff needs, schools send projected student numbers to the central office and these figures are applied to staffing formulae to calculate teacher and teacher assistant allocations. (2)-(4) An amount of $6.95 million was allocated in the Department of Education’s 2002-03 capital works program to provide additional facilities for kindergarten children who attend schools across the State in 2003. In addition, a further $2 million - $1 million in 2002-03 and $1 million in 2003-04 - was allocated to enable improvements to be made in those rural primary schools that are operating under the rural integration program. Although it was not possible to allocate funding for capital improvements at Dandaragan Primary School this financial year, the school will receive serious consideration when the 2003-04 program of work is compiled. In addition, the school has submitted a list of extra equipment that will be required to conduct a kindergarten program for the first time from 2003. This list is being assessed for support. Due to the size of Dandaragan Primary School’s kindergarten intake, combined with its preprimary intake, it will receive an additional 0.5 teacher assistant time in 2003. The teacher allocation for the school for 2003 will also increase from 4.2 FTEs in 2002 to 4.25 FTEs in 2003. (5) Schools have significant flexibility to determine class sizes based on their staffing allocations. Dandaragan Primary School will have more than sufficient teacher FTEs to form classes from kindergarten to year 7 within recommended class sizes. It is expected to have 66 kindergarten to year 7 students in 2003, and will have a teacher allocation of 4.25 FTEs, plus an increased teacher assistance allocation.
(3) If yes, how much? (4) If not, why has no funding been provided for infrastructure modifications and increased staffing to ensure that the introduction is smooth? (5) How can the minister justify increasing class sizes, which will put both the rural integrated program of years 2, 3 and 4 over the recommended allowance and, therefore, place more stress on existing staff? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) An assessment of the adequacy of facilities for early childhood classes in rural schools is conducted each year by the district education offices and incorporates local knowledge of immediate and projected needs. To determine staff needs, schools send projected student numbers to the central office and these figures are applied to staffing formulae to calculate teacher and teacher assistant allocations. (2)-(4) An amount of $6.95 million was allocated in the Department of Education’s 2002-03 capital works program to provide additional facilities for kindergarten children who attend schools across the State in 2003. In addition, a further $2 million - $1 million in 2002-03 and $1 million in 2003-04 - was allocated to enable improvements to be made in those rural primary schools that are operating under the rural integration program. Although it was not possible to allocate funding for capital improvements at Dandaragan Primary School this financial year, the school will receive serious consideration when the 2003-04 program of work is compiled. In addition, the school has submitted a list of extra equipment that will be required to conduct a kindergarten program for the first time from 2003. This list is being assessed for support. Due to the size of Dandaragan Primary School’s kindergarten intake, combined with its preprimary intake, it will receive an additional 0.5 teacher assistant time in 2003. The teacher allocation for the school for 2003 will also increase from 4.2 FTEs in 2002 to 4.25 FTEs in 2003. (5) Schools have significant flexibility to determine class sizes based on their staffing allocations. Dandaragan Primary School will have more than sufficient teacher FTEs to form classes from kindergarten to year 7 within recommended class sizes. It is expected to have 66 kindergarten to year 7 students in 2003, and will have a teacher allocation of 4.25 FTEs, plus an increased teacher assistance allocation.
(4) If not, why has no funding been provided for infrastructure modifications and increased staffing to ensure that the introduction is smooth? (5) How can the minister justify increasing class sizes, which will put both the rural integrated program of years 2, 3 and 4 over the recommended allowance and, therefore, place more stress on existing staff? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) An assessment of the adequacy of facilities for early childhood classes in rural schools is conducted each year by the district education offices and incorporates local knowledge of immediate and projected needs. To determine staff needs, schools send projected student numbers to the central office and these figures are applied to staffing formulae to calculate teacher and teacher assistant allocations. (2)-(4) An amount of $6.95 million was allocated in the Department of Education’s 2002-03 capital works program to provide additional facilities for kindergarten children who attend schools across the State in 2003. In addition, a further $2 million - $1 million in 2002-03 and $1 million in 2003-04 - was allocated to enable improvements to be made in those rural primary schools that are operating under the rural integration program. Although it was not possible to allocate funding for capital improvements at Dandaragan Primary School this financial year, the school will receive serious consideration when the 2003-04 program of work is compiled. In addition, the school has submitted a list of extra equipment that will be required to conduct a kindergarten program for the first time from 2003. This list is being assessed for support. Due to the size of Dandaragan Primary School’s kindergarten intake, combined with its preprimary intake, it will receive an additional 0.5 teacher assistant time in 2003. The teacher allocation for the school for 2003 will also increase from 4.2 FTEs in 2002 to 4.25 FTEs in 2003. (5) Schools have significant flexibility to determine class sizes based on their staffing allocations. Dandaragan Primary School will have more than sufficient teacher FTEs to form classes from kindergarten to year 7 within recommended class sizes. It is expected to have 66 kindergarten to year 7 students in 2003, and will have a teacher allocation of 4.25 FTEs, plus an increased teacher assistance allocation.
(5) How can the minister justify increasing class sizes, which will put both the rural integrated program of years 2, 3 and 4 over the recommended allowance and, therefore, place more stress on existing staff? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) An assessment of the adequacy of facilities for early childhood classes in rural schools is conducted each year by the district education offices and incorporates local knowledge of immediate and projected needs. To determine staff needs, schools send projected student numbers to the central office and these figures are applied to staffing formulae to calculate teacher and teacher assistant allocations. (2)-(4) An amount of $6.95 million was allocated in the Department of Education’s 2002-03 capital works program to provide additional facilities for kindergarten children who attend schools across the State in 2003. In addition, a further $2 million - $1 million in 2002-03 and $1 million in 2003-04 - was allocated to enable improvements to be made in those rural primary schools that are operating under the rural integration program. Although it was not possible to allocate funding for capital improvements at Dandaragan Primary School this financial year, the school will receive serious consideration when the 2003-04 program of work is compiled. In addition, the school has submitted a list of extra equipment that will be required to conduct a kindergarten program for the first time from 2003. This list is being assessed for support. Due to the size of Dandaragan Primary School’s kindergarten intake, combined with its preprimary intake, it will receive an additional 0.5 teacher assistant time in 2003. The teacher allocation for the school for 2003 will also increase from 4.2 FTEs in 2002 to 4.25 FTEs in 2003. (5) Schools have significant flexibility to determine class sizes based on their staffing allocations. Dandaragan Primary School will have more than sufficient teacher FTEs to form classes from kindergarten to year 7 within recommended class sizes. It is expected to have 66 kindergarten to year 7 students in 2003, and will have a teacher allocation of 4.25 FTEs, plus an increased teacher assistance allocation.
Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) An assessment of the adequacy of facilities for early childhood classes in rural schools is conducted each year by the district education offices and incorporates local knowledge of immediate and projected needs. To determine staff needs, schools send projected student numbers to the central office and these figures are applied to staffing formulae to calculate teacher and teacher assistant allocations. (2)-(4) An amount of $6.95 million was allocated in the Department of Education’s 2002-03 capital works program to provide additional facilities for kindergarten children who attend schools across the State in 2003. In addition, a further $2 million - $1 million in 2002-03 and $1 million in 2003-04 - was allocated to enable improvements to be made in those rural primary schools that are operating under the rural integration program. Although it was not possible to allocate funding for capital improvements at Dandaragan Primary School this financial year, the school will receive serious consideration when the 2003-04 program of work is compiled. In addition, the school has submitted a list of extra equipment that will be required to conduct a kindergarten program for the first time from 2003. This list is being assessed for support. Due to the size of Dandaragan Primary School’s kindergarten intake, combined with its preprimary intake, it will receive an additional 0.5 teacher assistant time in 2003. The teacher allocation for the school for 2003 will also increase from 4.2 FTEs in 2002 to 4.25 FTEs in 2003. (5) Schools have significant flexibility to determine class sizes based on their staffing allocations. Dandaragan Primary School will have more than sufficient teacher FTEs to form classes from kindergarten to year 7 within recommended class sizes. It is expected to have 66 kindergarten to year 7 students in 2003, and will have a teacher allocation of 4.25 FTEs, plus an increased teacher assistance allocation.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) An assessment of the adequacy of facilities for early childhood classes in rural schools is conducted each year by the district education offices and incorporates local knowledge of immediate and projected needs. To determine staff needs, schools send projected student numbers to the central office and these figures are applied to staffing formulae to calculate teacher and teacher assistant allocations. (2)-(4) An amount of $6.95 million was allocated in the Department of Education’s 2002-03 capital works program to provide additional facilities for kindergarten children who attend schools across the State in 2003. In addition, a further $2 million - $1 million in 2002-03 and $1 million in 2003-04 - was allocated to enable improvements to be made in those rural primary schools that are operating under the rural integration program. Although it was not possible to allocate funding for capital improvements at Dandaragan Primary School this financial year, the school will receive serious consideration when the 2003-04 program of work is compiled. In addition, the school has submitted a list of extra equipment that will be required to conduct a kindergarten program for the first time from 2003. This list is being assessed for support. Due to the size of Dandaragan Primary School’s kindergarten intake, combined with its preprimary intake, it will receive an additional 0.5 teacher assistant time in 2003. The teacher allocation for the school for 2003 will also increase from 4.2 FTEs in 2002 to 4.25 FTEs in 2003. (5) Schools have significant flexibility to determine class sizes based on their staffing allocations. Dandaragan Primary School will have more than sufficient teacher FTEs to form classes from kindergarten to year 7 within recommended class sizes. It is expected to have 66 kindergarten to year 7 students in 2003, and will have a teacher allocation of 4.25 FTEs, plus an increased teacher assistance allocation.
(2)-(4) An amount of $6.95 million was allocated in the Department of Education’s 2002-03 capital works program to provide additional facilities for kindergarten children who attend schools across the State in 2003. In addition, a further $2 million - $1 million in 2002-03 and $1 million in 2003-04 - was allocated to enable improvements to be made in those rural primary schools that are operating under the rural integration program. Although it was not possible to allocate funding for capital improvements at Dandaragan Primary School this financial year, the school will receive serious consideration when the 2003-04 program of work is compiled. In addition, the school has submitted a list of extra equipment that will be required to conduct a kindergarten program for the first time from 2003. This list is being assessed for support. Due to the size of Dandaragan Primary School’s kindergarten intake, combined with its preprimary intake, it will receive an additional 0.5 teacher assistant time in 2003. The teacher allocation for the school for 2003 will also increase from 4.2 FTEs in 2002 to 4.25 FTEs in 2003. (5) Schools have significant flexibility to determine class sizes based on their staffing allocations. Dandaragan Primary School will have more than sufficient teacher FTEs to form classes from kindergarten to year 7 within recommended class sizes. It is expected to have 66 kindergarten to year 7 students in 2003, and will have a teacher allocation of 4.25 FTEs, plus an increased teacher assistance allocation.
(1) What assessment has the State Government carried out of the adequacy of existing infrastructure and facilities, including teacher or teacher assistant resources in rural primary schools to allow for this increased intake? (2) Will additional funding be allocated to rural primary schools such as Dandaragan Primary School to assist them in making this transition? (3) If yes, how much? (4) If not, why has no funding been provided for infrastructure modifications and increased staffing to ensure that the introduction is smooth? (5) How can the minister justify increasing class sizes, which will put both the rural integrated program of years 2, 3 and 4 over the recommended allowance and, therefore, place more stress on existing staff? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) An assessment of the adequacy of facilities for early childhood classes in rural schools is conducted each year by the district education offices and incorporates local knowledge of immediate and projected needs. To determine staff needs, schools send projected student numbers to the central office and these figures are applied to staffing formulae to calculate teacher and teacher assistant allocations. (2)-(4) An amount of $6.95 million was allocated in the Department of Education’s 2002-03 capital works program to provide additional facilities for kindergarten children who attend schools across the State in 2003. In addition, a further $2 million - $1 million in 2002-03 and $1 million in 2003-04 - was allocated to enable improvements to be made in those rural primary schools that are operating under the rural integration program. Although it was not possible to allocate funding for capital improvements at Dandaragan Primary School this financial year, the school will receive serious consideration when the 2003-04 program of work is compiled. In addition, the school has submitted a list of extra equipment that will be required to conduct a kindergarten program for the first time from 2003. This list is being assessed for support. Due to the size of Dandaragan Primary School’s kindergarten intake, combined with its preprimary intake, it will receive an additional 0.5 teacher assistant time in 2003. The teacher allocation for the school for 2003 will also increase from 4.2 FTEs in 2002 to 4.25 FTEs in 2003. (5) Schools have significant flexibility to determine class sizes based on their staffing allocations. Dandaragan Primary School will have more than sufficient teacher FTEs to form classes from kindergarten to year 7 within recommended class sizes. It is expected to have 66 kindergarten to year 7 students in 2003, and will have a teacher allocation of 4.25 FTEs, plus an increased teacher assistance allocation.
(2) Will additional funding be allocated to rural primary schools such as Dandaragan Primary School to assist them in making this transition? (3) If yes, how much? (4) If not, why has no funding been provided for infrastructure modifications and increased staffing to ensure that the introduction is smooth? (5) How can the minister justify increasing class sizes, which will put both the rural integrated program of years 2, 3 and 4 over the recommended allowance and, therefore, place more stress on existing staff? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) An assessment of the adequacy of facilities for early childhood classes in rural schools is conducted each year by the district education offices and incorporates local knowledge of immediate and projected needs. To determine staff needs, schools send projected student numbers to the central office and these figures are applied to staffing formulae to calculate teacher and teacher assistant allocations. (2)-(4) An amount of $6.95 million was allocated in the Department of Education’s 2002-03 capital works program to provide additional facilities for kindergarten children who attend schools across the State in 2003. In addition, a further $2 million - $1 million in 2002-03 and $1 million in 2003-04 - was allocated to enable improvements to be made in those rural primary schools that are operating under the rural integration program. Although it was not possible to allocate funding for capital improvements at Dandaragan Primary School this financial year, the school will receive serious consideration when the 2003-04 program of work is compiled. In addition, the school has submitted a list of extra equipment that will be required to conduct a kindergarten program for the first time from 2003. This list is being assessed for support. Due to the size of Dandaragan Primary School’s kindergarten intake, combined with its preprimary intake, it will receive an additional 0.5 teacher assistant time in 2003. The teacher allocation for the school for 2003 will also increase from 4.2 FTEs in 2002 to 4.25 FTEs in 2003. (5) Schools have significant flexibility to determine class sizes based on their staffing allocations. Dandaragan Primary School will have more than sufficient teacher FTEs to form classes from kindergarten to year 7 within recommended class sizes. It is expected to have 66 kindergarten to year 7 students in 2003, and will have a teacher allocation of 4.25 FTEs, plus an increased teacher assistance allocation.
(3) If yes, how much? (4) If not, why has no funding been provided for infrastructure modifications and increased staffing to ensure that the introduction is smooth? (5) How can the minister justify increasing class sizes, which will put both the rural integrated program of years 2, 3 and 4 over the recommended allowance and, therefore, place more stress on existing staff? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) An assessment of the adequacy of facilities for early childhood classes in rural schools is conducted each year by the district education offices and incorporates local knowledge of immediate and projected needs. To determine staff needs, schools send projected student numbers to the central office and these figures are applied to staffing formulae to calculate teacher and teacher assistant allocations. (2)-(4) An amount of $6.95 million was allocated in the Department of Education’s 2002-03 capital works program to provide additional facilities for kindergarten children who attend schools across the State in 2003. In addition, a further $2 million - $1 million in 2002-03 and $1 million in 2003-04 - was allocated to enable improvements to be made in those rural primary schools that are operating under the rural integration program. Although it was not possible to allocate funding for capital improvements at Dandaragan Primary School this financial year, the school will receive serious consideration when the 2003-04 program of work is compiled. In addition, the school has submitted a list of extra equipment that will be required to conduct a kindergarten program for the first time from 2003. This list is being assessed for support. Due to the size of Dandaragan Primary School’s kindergarten intake, combined with its preprimary intake, it will receive an additional 0.5 teacher assistant time in 2003. The teacher allocation for the school for 2003 will also increase from 4.2 FTEs in 2002 to 4.25 FTEs in 2003. (5) Schools have significant flexibility to determine class sizes based on their staffing allocations. Dandaragan Primary School will have more than sufficient teacher FTEs to form classes from kindergarten to year 7 within recommended class sizes. It is expected to have 66 kindergarten to year 7 students in 2003, and will have a teacher allocation of 4.25 FTEs, plus an increased teacher assistance allocation.
(4) If not, why has no funding been provided for infrastructure modifications and increased staffing to ensure that the introduction is smooth? (5) How can the minister justify increasing class sizes, which will put both the rural integrated program of years 2, 3 and 4 over the recommended allowance and, therefore, place more stress on existing staff? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) An assessment of the adequacy of facilities for early childhood classes in rural schools is conducted each year by the district education offices and incorporates local knowledge of immediate and projected needs. To determine staff needs, schools send projected student numbers to the central office and these figures are applied to staffing formulae to calculate teacher and teacher assistant allocations. (2)-(4) An amount of $6.95 million was allocated in the Department of Education’s 2002-03 capital works program to provide additional facilities for kindergarten children who attend schools across the State in 2003. In addition, a further $2 million - $1 million in 2002-03 and $1 million in 2003-04 - was allocated to enable improvements to be made in those rural primary schools that are operating under the rural integration program. Although it was not possible to allocate funding for capital improvements at Dandaragan Primary School this financial year, the school will receive serious consideration when the 2003-04 program of work is compiled. In addition, the school has submitted a list of extra equipment that will be required to conduct a kindergarten program for the first time from 2003. This list is being assessed for support. Due to the size of Dandaragan Primary School’s kindergarten intake, combined with its preprimary intake, it will receive an additional 0.5 teacher assistant time in 2003. The teacher allocation for the school for 2003 will also increase from 4.2 FTEs in 2002 to 4.25 FTEs in 2003. (5) Schools have significant flexibility to determine class sizes based on their staffing allocations. Dandaragan Primary School will have more than sufficient teacher FTEs to form classes from kindergarten to year 7 within recommended class sizes. It is expected to have 66 kindergarten to year 7 students in 2003, and will have a teacher allocation of 4.25 FTEs, plus an increased teacher assistance allocation.
(5) How can the minister justify increasing class sizes, which will put both the rural integrated program of years 2, 3 and 4 over the recommended allowance and, therefore, place more stress on existing staff? Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) An assessment of the adequacy of facilities for early childhood classes in rural schools is conducted each year by the district education offices and incorporates local knowledge of immediate and projected needs. To determine staff needs, schools send projected student numbers to the central office and these figures are applied to staffing formulae to calculate teacher and teacher assistant allocations. (2)-(4) An amount of $6.95 million was allocated in the Department of Education’s 2002-03 capital works program to provide additional facilities for kindergarten children who attend schools across the State in 2003. In addition, a further $2 million - $1 million in 2002-03 and $1 million in 2003-04 - was allocated to enable improvements to be made in those rural primary schools that are operating under the rural integration program. Although it was not possible to allocate funding for capital improvements at Dandaragan Primary School this financial year, the school will receive serious consideration when the 2003-04 program of work is compiled. In addition, the school has submitted a list of extra equipment that will be required to conduct a kindergarten program for the first time from 2003. This list is being assessed for support. Due to the size of Dandaragan Primary School’s kindergarten intake, combined with its preprimary intake, it will receive an additional 0.5 teacher assistant time in 2003. The teacher allocation for the school for 2003 will also increase from 4.2 FTEs in 2002 to 4.25 FTEs in 2003. (5) Schools have significant flexibility to determine class sizes based on their staffing allocations. Dandaragan Primary School will have more than sufficient teacher FTEs to form classes from kindergarten to year 7 within recommended class sizes. It is expected to have 66 kindergarten to year 7 students in 2003, and will have a teacher allocation of 4.25 FTEs, plus an increased teacher assistance allocation.
Hon GRAHAM GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) An assessment of the adequacy of facilities for early childhood classes in rural schools is conducted each year by the district education offices and incorporates local knowledge of immediate and projected needs. To determine staff needs, schools send projected student numbers to the central office and these figures are applied to staffing formulae to calculate teacher and teacher assistant allocations. (2)-(4) An amount of $6.95 million was allocated in the Department of Education’s 2002-03 capital works program to provide additional facilities for kindergarten children who attend schools across the State in 2003. In addition, a further $2 million - $1 million in 2002-03 and $1 million in 2003-04 - was allocated to enable improvements to be made in those rural primary schools that are operating under the rural integration program. Although it was not possible to allocate funding for capital improvements at Dandaragan Primary School this financial year, the school will receive serious consideration when the 2003-04 program of work is compiled. In addition, the school has submitted a list of extra equipment that will be required to conduct a kindergarten program for the first time from 2003. This list is being assessed for support. Due to the size of Dandaragan Primary School’s kindergarten intake, combined with its preprimary intake, it will receive an additional 0.5 teacher assistant time in 2003. The teacher allocation for the school for 2003 will also increase from 4.2 FTEs in 2002 to 4.25 FTEs in 2003. (5) Schools have significant flexibility to determine class sizes based on their staffing allocations. Dandaragan Primary School will have more than sufficient teacher FTEs to form classes from kindergarten to year 7 within recommended class sizes. It is expected to have 66 kindergarten to year 7 students in 2003, and will have a teacher allocation of 4.25 FTEs, plus an increased teacher assistance allocation.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister advises as follows - (1) An assessment of the adequacy of facilities for early childhood classes in rural schools is conducted each year by the district education offices and incorporates local knowledge of immediate and projected needs. To determine staff needs, schools send projected student numbers to the central office and these figures are applied to staffing formulae to calculate teacher and teacher assistant allocations. (2)-(4) An amount of $6.95 million was allocated in the Department of Education’s 2002-03 capital works program to provide additional facilities for kindergarten children who attend schools across the State in 2003. In addition, a further $2 million - $1 million in 2002-03 and $1 million in 2003-04 - was allocated to enable improvements to be made in those rural primary schools that are operating under the rural integration program. Although it was not possible to allocate funding for capital improvements at Dandaragan Primary School this financial year, the school will receive serious consideration when the 2003-04 program of work is compiled. In addition, the school has submitted a list of extra equipment that will be required to conduct a kindergarten program for the first time from 2003. This list is being assessed for support. Due to the size of Dandaragan Primary School’s kindergarten intake, combined with its preprimary intake, it will receive an additional 0.5 teacher assistant time in 2003. The teacher allocation for the school for 2003 will also increase from 4.2 FTEs in 2002 to 4.25 FTEs in 2003. (5) Schools have significant flexibility to determine class sizes based on their staffing allocations. Dandaragan Primary School will have more than sufficient teacher FTEs to form classes from kindergarten to year 7 within recommended class sizes. It is expected to have 66 kindergarten to year 7 students in 2003, and will have a teacher allocation of 4.25 FTEs, plus an increased teacher assistance allocation.
(2)-(4) An amount of $6.95 million was allocated in the Department of Education’s 2002-03 capital works program to provide additional facilities for kindergarten children who attend schools across the State in 2003. In addition, a further $2 million - $1 million in 2002-03 and $1 million in 2003-04 - was allocated to enable improvements to be made in those rural primary schools that are operating under the rural integration program. Although it was not possible to allocate funding for capital improvements at Dandaragan Primary School this financial year, the school will receive serious consideration when the 2003-04 program of work is compiled. In addition, the school has submitted a list of extra equipment that will be required to conduct a kindergarten program for the first time from 2003. This list is being assessed for support. Due to the size of Dandaragan Primary School’s kindergarten intake, combined with its preprimary intake, it will receive an additional 0.5 teacher assistant time in 2003. The teacher allocation for the school for 2003 will also increase from 4.2 FTEs in 2002 to 4.25 FTEs in 2003. (5) Schools have significant flexibility to determine class sizes based on their staffing allocations. Dandaragan Primary School will have more than sufficient teacher FTEs to form classes from kindergarten to year 7 within recommended class sizes. It is expected to have 66 kindergarten to year 7 students in 2003, and will have a teacher allocation of 4.25 FTEs, plus an increased teacher assistance allocation.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.