❓ Mrs Roberts questions the Minister for Education regarding the placement of Year 7 students in high schools, highlighting delays and potential disadvantages under the national curriculum. The Minister responds, citing ongoing review, curriculum considerations, and financial implications, with a decision expected in 2-3 months.
AnsweredQoN 605Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
secondary schoolS — year 7 students
For two long years now the minister has been advising parents that she has not yet made up her mind as to the placement of year 7 students at government high schools. (1) Has the minister made up her mind yet on the placement; and, if not, when does she expect to make up her mind? (2) Does the minister acknowledge that, with the national curriculum, year 7 students in this state may be at a disadvantage if they remain in primary schools? (3) Does the minister now concede that it is really a matter of when, not if, year 7 students will be placed at government high schools? Dr E. CONSTABLE
For two long years now the minister has been advising parents that she has not yet made up her mind as to the placement of year 7 students at government high schools. (1) Has the minister made up her mind yet on the placement; and, if not, when does she expect to make up her mind? (2) Does the minister acknowledge that, with the national curriculum, year 7 students in this state may be at a disadvantage if they remain in primary schools? (3) Does the minister now concede that it is really a matter of when, not if, year 7 students will be placed at government high schools? Dr E. CONSTABLE
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) That is a very interesting question from the member for Midland given that the previous government determined not to move year 7 students into high schools. I have made it plain for some time that the government is re-examining this issue for a number of reasons. We have been talking about the issue and that has allowed many people the opportunity to think about it and comment on it and to be involved in a community conversation. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Does that mean that you haven’t made up your mind? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I ask the member for Midland to be quiet for a moment so that I can explain the stage we are at in the serious process of thinking through this issue. Many people are involved and there are many issues to consider. The first issue to consider, and the reason that I decided to look into it again, is the fact that the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia and many independent schools decided to place their year 7 students into high schools. Mrs M.H. Roberts : They’ve got their act together. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The Labor Party should have got its act together when it was in government. The member should listen to the answer. Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
(1) Has the minister made up her mind yet on the placement; and, if not, when does she expect to make up her mind? (2) Does the minister acknowledge that, with the national curriculum, year 7 students in this state may be at a disadvantage if they remain in primary schools? (3) Does the minister now concede that it is really a matter of when, not if, year 7 students will be placed at government high schools? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) That is a very interesting question from the member for Midland given that the previous government determined not to move year 7 students into high schools. I have made it plain for some time that the government is re-examining this issue for a number of reasons. We have been talking about the issue and that has allowed many people the opportunity to think about it and comment on it and to be involved in a community conversation. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Does that mean that you haven’t made up your mind? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I ask the member for Midland to be quiet for a moment so that I can explain the stage we are at in the serious process of thinking through this issue. Many people are involved and there are many issues to consider. The first issue to consider, and the reason that I decided to look into it again, is the fact that the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia and many independent schools decided to place their year 7 students into high schools. Mrs M.H. Roberts : They’ve got their act together. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The Labor Party should have got its act together when it was in government. The member should listen to the answer. Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
(2) Does the minister acknowledge that, with the national curriculum, year 7 students in this state may be at a disadvantage if they remain in primary schools? (3) Does the minister now concede that it is really a matter of when, not if, year 7 students will be placed at government high schools? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) That is a very interesting question from the member for Midland given that the previous government determined not to move year 7 students into high schools. I have made it plain for some time that the government is re-examining this issue for a number of reasons. We have been talking about the issue and that has allowed many people the opportunity to think about it and comment on it and to be involved in a community conversation. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Does that mean that you haven’t made up your mind? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I ask the member for Midland to be quiet for a moment so that I can explain the stage we are at in the serious process of thinking through this issue. Many people are involved and there are many issues to consider. The first issue to consider, and the reason that I decided to look into it again, is the fact that the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia and many independent schools decided to place their year 7 students into high schools. Mrs M.H. Roberts : They’ve got their act together. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The Labor Party should have got its act together when it was in government. The member should listen to the answer. Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
(3) Does the minister now concede that it is really a matter of when, not if, year 7 students will be placed at government high schools? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) That is a very interesting question from the member for Midland given that the previous government determined not to move year 7 students into high schools. I have made it plain for some time that the government is re-examining this issue for a number of reasons. We have been talking about the issue and that has allowed many people the opportunity to think about it and comment on it and to be involved in a community conversation. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Does that mean that you haven’t made up your mind? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I ask the member for Midland to be quiet for a moment so that I can explain the stage we are at in the serious process of thinking through this issue. Many people are involved and there are many issues to consider. The first issue to consider, and the reason that I decided to look into it again, is the fact that the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia and many independent schools decided to place their year 7 students into high schools. Mrs M.H. Roberts : They’ve got their act together. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The Labor Party should have got its act together when it was in government. The member should listen to the answer. Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) That is a very interesting question from the member for Midland given that the previous government determined not to move year 7 students into high schools. I have made it plain for some time that the government is re-examining this issue for a number of reasons. We have been talking about the issue and that has allowed many people the opportunity to think about it and comment on it and to be involved in a community conversation. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Does that mean that you haven’t made up your mind? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I ask the member for Midland to be quiet for a moment so that I can explain the stage we are at in the serious process of thinking through this issue. Many people are involved and there are many issues to consider. The first issue to consider, and the reason that I decided to look into it again, is the fact that the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia and many independent schools decided to place their year 7 students into high schools. Mrs M.H. Roberts : They’ve got their act together. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The Labor Party should have got its act together when it was in government. The member should listen to the answer. Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
(1)–(3) That is a very interesting question from the member for Midland given that the previous government determined not to move year 7 students into high schools. I have made it plain for some time that the government is re-examining this issue for a number of reasons. We have been talking about the issue and that has allowed many people the opportunity to think about it and comment on it and to be involved in a community conversation. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Does that mean that you haven’t made up your mind? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I ask the member for Midland to be quiet for a moment so that I can explain the stage we are at in the serious process of thinking through this issue. Many people are involved and there are many issues to consider. The first issue to consider, and the reason that I decided to look into it again, is the fact that the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia and many independent schools decided to place their year 7 students into high schools. Mrs M.H. Roberts : They’ve got their act together. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The Labor Party should have got its act together when it was in government. The member should listen to the answer. Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : Does that mean that you haven’t made up your mind? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I ask the member for Midland to be quiet for a moment so that I can explain the stage we are at in the serious process of thinking through this issue. Many people are involved and there are many issues to consider. The first issue to consider, and the reason that I decided to look into it again, is the fact that the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia and many independent schools decided to place their year 7 students into high schools. Mrs M.H. Roberts : They’ve got their act together. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The Labor Party should have got its act together when it was in government. The member should listen to the answer. Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : I ask the member for Midland to be quiet for a moment so that I can explain the stage we are at in the serious process of thinking through this issue. Many people are involved and there are many issues to consider. The first issue to consider, and the reason that I decided to look into it again, is the fact that the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia and many independent schools decided to place their year 7 students into high schools. Mrs M.H. Roberts : They’ve got their act together. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The Labor Party should have got its act together when it was in government. The member should listen to the answer. Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : They’ve got their act together. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The Labor Party should have got its act together when it was in government. The member should listen to the answer. Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : The Labor Party should have got its act together when it was in government. The member should listen to the answer. Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
(1) Has the minister made up her mind yet on the placement; and, if not, when does she expect to make up her mind? (2) Does the minister acknowledge that, with the national curriculum, year 7 students in this state may be at a disadvantage if they remain in primary schools? (3) Does the minister now concede that it is really a matter of when, not if, year 7 students will be placed at government high schools? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) That is a very interesting question from the member for Midland given that the previous government determined not to move year 7 students into high schools. I have made it plain for some time that the government is re-examining this issue for a number of reasons. We have been talking about the issue and that has allowed many people the opportunity to think about it and comment on it and to be involved in a community conversation. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Does that mean that you haven’t made up your mind? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I ask the member for Midland to be quiet for a moment so that I can explain the stage we are at in the serious process of thinking through this issue. Many people are involved and there are many issues to consider. The first issue to consider, and the reason that I decided to look into it again, is the fact that the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia and many independent schools decided to place their year 7 students into high schools. Mrs M.H. Roberts : They’ve got their act together. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The Labor Party should have got its act together when it was in government. The member should listen to the answer. Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
(2) Does the minister acknowledge that, with the national curriculum, year 7 students in this state may be at a disadvantage if they remain in primary schools? (3) Does the minister now concede that it is really a matter of when, not if, year 7 students will be placed at government high schools? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) That is a very interesting question from the member for Midland given that the previous government determined not to move year 7 students into high schools. I have made it plain for some time that the government is re-examining this issue for a number of reasons. We have been talking about the issue and that has allowed many people the opportunity to think about it and comment on it and to be involved in a community conversation. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Does that mean that you haven’t made up your mind? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I ask the member for Midland to be quiet for a moment so that I can explain the stage we are at in the serious process of thinking through this issue. Many people are involved and there are many issues to consider. The first issue to consider, and the reason that I decided to look into it again, is the fact that the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia and many independent schools decided to place their year 7 students into high schools. Mrs M.H. Roberts : They’ve got their act together. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The Labor Party should have got its act together when it was in government. The member should listen to the answer. Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
(3) Does the minister now concede that it is really a matter of when, not if, year 7 students will be placed at government high schools? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) That is a very interesting question from the member for Midland given that the previous government determined not to move year 7 students into high schools. I have made it plain for some time that the government is re-examining this issue for a number of reasons. We have been talking about the issue and that has allowed many people the opportunity to think about it and comment on it and to be involved in a community conversation. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Does that mean that you haven’t made up your mind? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I ask the member for Midland to be quiet for a moment so that I can explain the stage we are at in the serious process of thinking through this issue. Many people are involved and there are many issues to consider. The first issue to consider, and the reason that I decided to look into it again, is the fact that the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia and many independent schools decided to place their year 7 students into high schools. Mrs M.H. Roberts : They’ve got their act together. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The Labor Party should have got its act together when it was in government. The member should listen to the answer. Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(3) That is a very interesting question from the member for Midland given that the previous government determined not to move year 7 students into high schools. I have made it plain for some time that the government is re-examining this issue for a number of reasons. We have been talking about the issue and that has allowed many people the opportunity to think about it and comment on it and to be involved in a community conversation. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Does that mean that you haven’t made up your mind? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I ask the member for Midland to be quiet for a moment so that I can explain the stage we are at in the serious process of thinking through this issue. Many people are involved and there are many issues to consider. The first issue to consider, and the reason that I decided to look into it again, is the fact that the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia and many independent schools decided to place their year 7 students into high schools. Mrs M.H. Roberts : They’ve got their act together. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The Labor Party should have got its act together when it was in government. The member should listen to the answer. Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
(1)–(3) That is a very interesting question from the member for Midland given that the previous government determined not to move year 7 students into high schools. I have made it plain for some time that the government is re-examining this issue for a number of reasons. We have been talking about the issue and that has allowed many people the opportunity to think about it and comment on it and to be involved in a community conversation. Mrs M.H. Roberts : Does that mean that you haven’t made up your mind? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I ask the member for Midland to be quiet for a moment so that I can explain the stage we are at in the serious process of thinking through this issue. Many people are involved and there are many issues to consider. The first issue to consider, and the reason that I decided to look into it again, is the fact that the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia and many independent schools decided to place their year 7 students into high schools. Mrs M.H. Roberts : They’ve got their act together. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The Labor Party should have got its act together when it was in government. The member should listen to the answer. Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : Does that mean that you haven’t made up your mind? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I ask the member for Midland to be quiet for a moment so that I can explain the stage we are at in the serious process of thinking through this issue. Many people are involved and there are many issues to consider. The first issue to consider, and the reason that I decided to look into it again, is the fact that the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia and many independent schools decided to place their year 7 students into high schools. Mrs M.H. Roberts : They’ve got their act together. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The Labor Party should have got its act together when it was in government. The member should listen to the answer. Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : I ask the member for Midland to be quiet for a moment so that I can explain the stage we are at in the serious process of thinking through this issue. Many people are involved and there are many issues to consider. The first issue to consider, and the reason that I decided to look into it again, is the fact that the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia and many independent schools decided to place their year 7 students into high schools. Mrs M.H. Roberts : They’ve got their act together. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The Labor Party should have got its act together when it was in government. The member should listen to the answer. Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
Mrs M.H. Roberts : They’ve got their act together. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The Labor Party should have got its act together when it was in government. The member should listen to the answer. Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : The Labor Party should have got its act together when it was in government. The member should listen to the answer. Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
Mr R.H. Cook : So it’s inevitable. Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : The opposition is saying it is inevitable when in government it decided not to do it. For goodness sake! I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
I have been systematically considering this issue for a long period. I agree that we have been considering this issue for a long period. We have needed time to consider it. We needed to see what the national curriculum was all about. It was only last week that the Curriculum Council provided me with a briefing on the national curriculum and gave me its advice about where year 7s should be placed. In some areas of the four areas of English, history, mathematics and science, year 7 students would do very well to be in primary schools. In aspects of the science and mathematics curriculum there is evidence to show that they would be better off if they were in high schools. We are working through these issues. There are financial and budgetary implications. I expect to have made a clear decision in the next two to three months. The matter will be taken to cabinet for a decision.
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