❓ A question regarding potential budget cuts to the Department of Education following a statement by the Director General. The Premier assures that the schools budget will increase, despite broader government belt-tightening due to economic challenges, and highlights ongoing investment and reforms in education.
AnsweredQoN 187Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION — BUDGET
187. Dr A.D. BUTI to the
Premier:
Given that the director general of the Department of
Education, Ms Sharyn O'Neill, told a meeting of school principals in
early February not to expect that these will be the only cuts, is it the case
that the Premier has more cuts planned to school budgets in May?
187. Dr A.D. BUTI to the
Premier:
Given that the director general of the Department of
Education, Ms Sharyn O'Neill, told a meeting of school principals in
early February not to expect that these will be the only cuts, is it the case
that the Premier has more cuts planned to school budgets in May?
AnswerView source ↗
The schools budget will increase in May. We face a very
difficult budget period, with a loss of GST revenue, the Australian dollar
staying stubbornly high, and the iron ore prices. It is very difficult to
budget in Western Australia. There will be a tightening of the belt right
across government. However, as we have said for the last 12 months, there will
be a levelling off of teacher numbers in 2014 and then future growth will
return. As I said a moment ago, year 7s are going into high school, there will
be over $500 million of capital works for schools this year, the new
student-based funding system will come into place in 2015 and there is the new
curriculum. It is a busy, demanding year for education, but these are the changes
that need to take place in our education system. We can put that against a
balance of independent public schools and our record of introducing universal
kindergarten and preprimary school during the Court government years, which are
yet to be matched by any state in Australia. This government has a proven track
record in schools. It may seem a small thing, but under this government, there
was a teacher in front of every class on day one in government schools. How did
the Leader of the Opposition go when he was Minister for Education and
Training?
difficult budget period, with a loss of GST revenue, the Australian dollar
staying stubbornly high, and the iron ore prices. It is very difficult to
budget in Western Australia. There will be a tightening of the belt right
across government. However, as we have said for the last 12 months, there will
be a levelling off of teacher numbers in 2014 and then future growth will
return. As I said a moment ago, year 7s are going into high school, there will
be over $500 million of capital works for schools this year, the new
student-based funding system will come into place in 2015 and there is the new
curriculum. It is a busy, demanding year for education, but these are the changes
that need to take place in our education system. We can put that against a
balance of independent public schools and our record of introducing universal
kindergarten and preprimary school during the Court government years, which are
yet to be matched by any state in Australia. This government has a proven track
record in schools. It may seem a small thing, but under this government, there
was a teacher in front of every class on day one in government schools. How did
the Leader of the Opposition go when he was Minister for Education and
Training?
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