❓ Mr. Wyatt questions the Premier regarding the delay in the decision to move Year 7 students to secondary school, seeking assurances for parents about the placement of Year 7 students in the coming years. The Premier deflects initially but then outlines the complexities and financial implications of the decision.
AnsweredQoN 670Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
YEAR 7 STUDENTS — SECONDARY SCHOOL
On Tuesday, the Minister for Education, in answering a question about year 7s moving to secondary school, stated — … that is not my decision to make; it is a decision of cabinet. I ask the Premier, as the cabinet leader — (1) How long has this proposal been with cabinet and why has a decision not been made? (2) When will a decision be made on this important issue? (3) Can the Premier give assurances to Western Australian parents that year 7s will be in primary schools in 2012; and, if not, why not? (4) Is the Premier able to give the same assurances to parents for 2013 and 2014; and, if not, why not? Mr C.J. BARNETT
On Tuesday, the Minister for Education, in answering a question about year 7s moving to secondary school, stated — … that is not my decision to make; it is a decision of cabinet. I ask the Premier, as the cabinet leader — (1) How long has this proposal been with cabinet and why has a decision not been made? (2) When will a decision be made on this important issue? (3) Can the Premier give assurances to Western Australian parents that year 7s will be in primary schools in 2012; and, if not, why not? (4) Is the Premier able to give the same assurances to parents for 2013 and 2014; and, if not, why not? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(4) With the education minister being in this house, any question on year 7 students should be directed to the Minister for Education. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Forrestfield, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Questions in this place are not an open invitation for everybody to start yelling. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister has been, along with myself, working on this issue. It is an issue that has enormous implications. The first issue to look at is what it means in terms of the education of every boy and girl in this state. That is important. Most people are probably of the view, with the change to the school starting age back in the 1990s, as that cohort comes through, that year 7 students should progress into high school. However, having said that, there is a lot more to this. Most of the private schools have already made that transition. There are issues with district high schools and there are issues for country parents who might send their children to school in Perth who would face, for example, another year of school fees. There are a lot of issues to look at very carefully. Of course, the other one is that the education department has 770 school sites around the state, there is probably another 300 independent Catholic school sites, and to move year 7s into high schools means there will be a substantial capital investment requirement across high school sites. There may be underutilisation of space in primary schools. It is a big decision. It is one that is being looked at. The government — Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
(1) How long has this proposal been with cabinet and why has a decision not been made? (2) When will a decision be made on this important issue? (3) Can the Premier give assurances to Western Australian parents that year 7s will be in primary schools in 2012; and, if not, why not? (4) Is the Premier able to give the same assurances to parents for 2013 and 2014; and, if not, why not? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) With the education minister being in this house, any question on year 7 students should be directed to the Minister for Education. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Forrestfield, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Questions in this place are not an open invitation for everybody to start yelling. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister has been, along with myself, working on this issue. It is an issue that has enormous implications. The first issue to look at is what it means in terms of the education of every boy and girl in this state. That is important. Most people are probably of the view, with the change to the school starting age back in the 1990s, as that cohort comes through, that year 7 students should progress into high school. However, having said that, there is a lot more to this. Most of the private schools have already made that transition. There are issues with district high schools and there are issues for country parents who might send their children to school in Perth who would face, for example, another year of school fees. There are a lot of issues to look at very carefully. Of course, the other one is that the education department has 770 school sites around the state, there is probably another 300 independent Catholic school sites, and to move year 7s into high schools means there will be a substantial capital investment requirement across high school sites. There may be underutilisation of space in primary schools. It is a big decision. It is one that is being looked at. The government — Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
(2) When will a decision be made on this important issue? (3) Can the Premier give assurances to Western Australian parents that year 7s will be in primary schools in 2012; and, if not, why not? (4) Is the Premier able to give the same assurances to parents for 2013 and 2014; and, if not, why not? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) With the education minister being in this house, any question on year 7 students should be directed to the Minister for Education. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Forrestfield, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Questions in this place are not an open invitation for everybody to start yelling. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister has been, along with myself, working on this issue. It is an issue that has enormous implications. The first issue to look at is what it means in terms of the education of every boy and girl in this state. That is important. Most people are probably of the view, with the change to the school starting age back in the 1990s, as that cohort comes through, that year 7 students should progress into high school. However, having said that, there is a lot more to this. Most of the private schools have already made that transition. There are issues with district high schools and there are issues for country parents who might send their children to school in Perth who would face, for example, another year of school fees. There are a lot of issues to look at very carefully. Of course, the other one is that the education department has 770 school sites around the state, there is probably another 300 independent Catholic school sites, and to move year 7s into high schools means there will be a substantial capital investment requirement across high school sites. There may be underutilisation of space in primary schools. It is a big decision. It is one that is being looked at. The government — Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
(3) Can the Premier give assurances to Western Australian parents that year 7s will be in primary schools in 2012; and, if not, why not? (4) Is the Premier able to give the same assurances to parents for 2013 and 2014; and, if not, why not? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) With the education minister being in this house, any question on year 7 students should be directed to the Minister for Education. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Forrestfield, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Questions in this place are not an open invitation for everybody to start yelling. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister has been, along with myself, working on this issue. It is an issue that has enormous implications. The first issue to look at is what it means in terms of the education of every boy and girl in this state. That is important. Most people are probably of the view, with the change to the school starting age back in the 1990s, as that cohort comes through, that year 7 students should progress into high school. However, having said that, there is a lot more to this. Most of the private schools have already made that transition. There are issues with district high schools and there are issues for country parents who might send their children to school in Perth who would face, for example, another year of school fees. There are a lot of issues to look at very carefully. Of course, the other one is that the education department has 770 school sites around the state, there is probably another 300 independent Catholic school sites, and to move year 7s into high schools means there will be a substantial capital investment requirement across high school sites. There may be underutilisation of space in primary schools. It is a big decision. It is one that is being looked at. The government — Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
(4) Is the Premier able to give the same assurances to parents for 2013 and 2014; and, if not, why not? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) With the education minister being in this house, any question on year 7 students should be directed to the Minister for Education. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Forrestfield, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Questions in this place are not an open invitation for everybody to start yelling. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister has been, along with myself, working on this issue. It is an issue that has enormous implications. The first issue to look at is what it means in terms of the education of every boy and girl in this state. That is important. Most people are probably of the view, with the change to the school starting age back in the 1990s, as that cohort comes through, that year 7 students should progress into high school. However, having said that, there is a lot more to this. Most of the private schools have already made that transition. There are issues with district high schools and there are issues for country parents who might send their children to school in Perth who would face, for example, another year of school fees. There are a lot of issues to look at very carefully. Of course, the other one is that the education department has 770 school sites around the state, there is probably another 300 independent Catholic school sites, and to move year 7s into high schools means there will be a substantial capital investment requirement across high school sites. There may be underutilisation of space in primary schools. It is a big decision. It is one that is being looked at. The government — Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) With the education minister being in this house, any question on year 7 students should be directed to the Minister for Education. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Forrestfield, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Questions in this place are not an open invitation for everybody to start yelling. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister has been, along with myself, working on this issue. It is an issue that has enormous implications. The first issue to look at is what it means in terms of the education of every boy and girl in this state. That is important. Most people are probably of the view, with the change to the school starting age back in the 1990s, as that cohort comes through, that year 7 students should progress into high school. However, having said that, there is a lot more to this. Most of the private schools have already made that transition. There are issues with district high schools and there are issues for country parents who might send their children to school in Perth who would face, for example, another year of school fees. There are a lot of issues to look at very carefully. Of course, the other one is that the education department has 770 school sites around the state, there is probably another 300 independent Catholic school sites, and to move year 7s into high schools means there will be a substantial capital investment requirement across high school sites. There may be underutilisation of space in primary schools. It is a big decision. It is one that is being looked at. The government — Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
(1)–(4) With the education minister being in this house, any question on year 7 students should be directed to the Minister for Education. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Forrestfield, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Questions in this place are not an open invitation for everybody to start yelling. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister has been, along with myself, working on this issue. It is an issue that has enormous implications. The first issue to look at is what it means in terms of the education of every boy and girl in this state. That is important. Most people are probably of the view, with the change to the school starting age back in the 1990s, as that cohort comes through, that year 7 students should progress into high school. However, having said that, there is a lot more to this. Most of the private schools have already made that transition. There are issues with district high schools and there are issues for country parents who might send their children to school in Perth who would face, for example, another year of school fees. There are a lot of issues to look at very carefully. Of course, the other one is that the education department has 770 school sites around the state, there is probably another 300 independent Catholic school sites, and to move year 7s into high schools means there will be a substantial capital investment requirement across high school sites. There may be underutilisation of space in primary schools. It is a big decision. It is one that is being looked at. The government — Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Forrestfield, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Questions in this place are not an open invitation for everybody to start yelling. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister has been, along with myself, working on this issue. It is an issue that has enormous implications. The first issue to look at is what it means in terms of the education of every boy and girl in this state. That is important. Most people are probably of the view, with the change to the school starting age back in the 1990s, as that cohort comes through, that year 7 students should progress into high school. However, having said that, there is a lot more to this. Most of the private schools have already made that transition. There are issues with district high schools and there are issues for country parents who might send their children to school in Perth who would face, for example, another year of school fees. There are a lot of issues to look at very carefully. Of course, the other one is that the education department has 770 school sites around the state, there is probably another 300 independent Catholic school sites, and to move year 7s into high schools means there will be a substantial capital investment requirement across high school sites. There may be underutilisation of space in primary schools. It is a big decision. It is one that is being looked at. The government — Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
The SPEAKER : Member for Forrestfield, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Questions in this place are not an open invitation for everybody to start yelling. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister has been, along with myself, working on this issue. It is an issue that has enormous implications. The first issue to look at is what it means in terms of the education of every boy and girl in this state. That is important. Most people are probably of the view, with the change to the school starting age back in the 1990s, as that cohort comes through, that year 7 students should progress into high school. However, having said that, there is a lot more to this. Most of the private schools have already made that transition. There are issues with district high schools and there are issues for country parents who might send their children to school in Perth who would face, for example, another year of school fees. There are a lot of issues to look at very carefully. Of course, the other one is that the education department has 770 school sites around the state, there is probably another 300 independent Catholic school sites, and to move year 7s into high schools means there will be a substantial capital investment requirement across high school sites. There may be underutilisation of space in primary schools. It is a big decision. It is one that is being looked at. The government — Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister has been, along with myself, working on this issue. It is an issue that has enormous implications. The first issue to look at is what it means in terms of the education of every boy and girl in this state. That is important. Most people are probably of the view, with the change to the school starting age back in the 1990s, as that cohort comes through, that year 7 students should progress into high school. However, having said that, there is a lot more to this. Most of the private schools have already made that transition. There are issues with district high schools and there are issues for country parents who might send their children to school in Perth who would face, for example, another year of school fees. There are a lot of issues to look at very carefully. Of course, the other one is that the education department has 770 school sites around the state, there is probably another 300 independent Catholic school sites, and to move year 7s into high schools means there will be a substantial capital investment requirement across high school sites. There may be underutilisation of space in primary schools. It is a big decision. It is one that is being looked at. The government — Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
(1) How long has this proposal been with cabinet and why has a decision not been made? (2) When will a decision be made on this important issue? (3) Can the Premier give assurances to Western Australian parents that year 7s will be in primary schools in 2012; and, if not, why not? (4) Is the Premier able to give the same assurances to parents for 2013 and 2014; and, if not, why not? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) With the education minister being in this house, any question on year 7 students should be directed to the Minister for Education. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Forrestfield, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Questions in this place are not an open invitation for everybody to start yelling. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister has been, along with myself, working on this issue. It is an issue that has enormous implications. The first issue to look at is what it means in terms of the education of every boy and girl in this state. That is important. Most people are probably of the view, with the change to the school starting age back in the 1990s, as that cohort comes through, that year 7 students should progress into high school. However, having said that, there is a lot more to this. Most of the private schools have already made that transition. There are issues with district high schools and there are issues for country parents who might send their children to school in Perth who would face, for example, another year of school fees. There are a lot of issues to look at very carefully. Of course, the other one is that the education department has 770 school sites around the state, there is probably another 300 independent Catholic school sites, and to move year 7s into high schools means there will be a substantial capital investment requirement across high school sites. There may be underutilisation of space in primary schools. It is a big decision. It is one that is being looked at. The government — Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
(2) When will a decision be made on this important issue? (3) Can the Premier give assurances to Western Australian parents that year 7s will be in primary schools in 2012; and, if not, why not? (4) Is the Premier able to give the same assurances to parents for 2013 and 2014; and, if not, why not? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) With the education minister being in this house, any question on year 7 students should be directed to the Minister for Education. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Forrestfield, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Questions in this place are not an open invitation for everybody to start yelling. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister has been, along with myself, working on this issue. It is an issue that has enormous implications. The first issue to look at is what it means in terms of the education of every boy and girl in this state. That is important. Most people are probably of the view, with the change to the school starting age back in the 1990s, as that cohort comes through, that year 7 students should progress into high school. However, having said that, there is a lot more to this. Most of the private schools have already made that transition. There are issues with district high schools and there are issues for country parents who might send their children to school in Perth who would face, for example, another year of school fees. There are a lot of issues to look at very carefully. Of course, the other one is that the education department has 770 school sites around the state, there is probably another 300 independent Catholic school sites, and to move year 7s into high schools means there will be a substantial capital investment requirement across high school sites. There may be underutilisation of space in primary schools. It is a big decision. It is one that is being looked at. The government — Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
(3) Can the Premier give assurances to Western Australian parents that year 7s will be in primary schools in 2012; and, if not, why not? (4) Is the Premier able to give the same assurances to parents for 2013 and 2014; and, if not, why not? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) With the education minister being in this house, any question on year 7 students should be directed to the Minister for Education. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Forrestfield, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Questions in this place are not an open invitation for everybody to start yelling. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister has been, along with myself, working on this issue. It is an issue that has enormous implications. The first issue to look at is what it means in terms of the education of every boy and girl in this state. That is important. Most people are probably of the view, with the change to the school starting age back in the 1990s, as that cohort comes through, that year 7 students should progress into high school. However, having said that, there is a lot more to this. Most of the private schools have already made that transition. There are issues with district high schools and there are issues for country parents who might send their children to school in Perth who would face, for example, another year of school fees. There are a lot of issues to look at very carefully. Of course, the other one is that the education department has 770 school sites around the state, there is probably another 300 independent Catholic school sites, and to move year 7s into high schools means there will be a substantial capital investment requirement across high school sites. There may be underutilisation of space in primary schools. It is a big decision. It is one that is being looked at. The government — Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
(4) Is the Premier able to give the same assurances to parents for 2013 and 2014; and, if not, why not? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) With the education minister being in this house, any question on year 7 students should be directed to the Minister for Education. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Forrestfield, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Questions in this place are not an open invitation for everybody to start yelling. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister has been, along with myself, working on this issue. It is an issue that has enormous implications. The first issue to look at is what it means in terms of the education of every boy and girl in this state. That is important. Most people are probably of the view, with the change to the school starting age back in the 1990s, as that cohort comes through, that year 7 students should progress into high school. However, having said that, there is a lot more to this. Most of the private schools have already made that transition. There are issues with district high schools and there are issues for country parents who might send their children to school in Perth who would face, for example, another year of school fees. There are a lot of issues to look at very carefully. Of course, the other one is that the education department has 770 school sites around the state, there is probably another 300 independent Catholic school sites, and to move year 7s into high schools means there will be a substantial capital investment requirement across high school sites. There may be underutilisation of space in primary schools. It is a big decision. It is one that is being looked at. The government — Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) With the education minister being in this house, any question on year 7 students should be directed to the Minister for Education. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Forrestfield, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Questions in this place are not an open invitation for everybody to start yelling. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister has been, along with myself, working on this issue. It is an issue that has enormous implications. The first issue to look at is what it means in terms of the education of every boy and girl in this state. That is important. Most people are probably of the view, with the change to the school starting age back in the 1990s, as that cohort comes through, that year 7 students should progress into high school. However, having said that, there is a lot more to this. Most of the private schools have already made that transition. There are issues with district high schools and there are issues for country parents who might send their children to school in Perth who would face, for example, another year of school fees. There are a lot of issues to look at very carefully. Of course, the other one is that the education department has 770 school sites around the state, there is probably another 300 independent Catholic school sites, and to move year 7s into high schools means there will be a substantial capital investment requirement across high school sites. There may be underutilisation of space in primary schools. It is a big decision. It is one that is being looked at. The government — Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
(1)–(4) With the education minister being in this house, any question on year 7 students should be directed to the Minister for Education. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Forrestfield, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Questions in this place are not an open invitation for everybody to start yelling. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister has been, along with myself, working on this issue. It is an issue that has enormous implications. The first issue to look at is what it means in terms of the education of every boy and girl in this state. That is important. Most people are probably of the view, with the change to the school starting age back in the 1990s, as that cohort comes through, that year 7 students should progress into high school. However, having said that, there is a lot more to this. Most of the private schools have already made that transition. There are issues with district high schools and there are issues for country parents who might send their children to school in Perth who would face, for example, another year of school fees. There are a lot of issues to look at very carefully. Of course, the other one is that the education department has 770 school sites around the state, there is probably another 300 independent Catholic school sites, and to move year 7s into high schools means there will be a substantial capital investment requirement across high school sites. There may be underutilisation of space in primary schools. It is a big decision. It is one that is being looked at. The government — Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Forrestfield, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Questions in this place are not an open invitation for everybody to start yelling. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister has been, along with myself, working on this issue. It is an issue that has enormous implications. The first issue to look at is what it means in terms of the education of every boy and girl in this state. That is important. Most people are probably of the view, with the change to the school starting age back in the 1990s, as that cohort comes through, that year 7 students should progress into high school. However, having said that, there is a lot more to this. Most of the private schools have already made that transition. There are issues with district high schools and there are issues for country parents who might send their children to school in Perth who would face, for example, another year of school fees. There are a lot of issues to look at very carefully. Of course, the other one is that the education department has 770 school sites around the state, there is probably another 300 independent Catholic school sites, and to move year 7s into high schools means there will be a substantial capital investment requirement across high school sites. There may be underutilisation of space in primary schools. It is a big decision. It is one that is being looked at. The government — Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
The SPEAKER : Member for Forrestfield, I formally call you to order for the second time today. Questions in this place are not an open invitation for everybody to start yelling. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister has been, along with myself, working on this issue. It is an issue that has enormous implications. The first issue to look at is what it means in terms of the education of every boy and girl in this state. That is important. Most people are probably of the view, with the change to the school starting age back in the 1990s, as that cohort comes through, that year 7 students should progress into high school. However, having said that, there is a lot more to this. Most of the private schools have already made that transition. There are issues with district high schools and there are issues for country parents who might send their children to school in Perth who would face, for example, another year of school fees. There are a lot of issues to look at very carefully. Of course, the other one is that the education department has 770 school sites around the state, there is probably another 300 independent Catholic school sites, and to move year 7s into high schools means there will be a substantial capital investment requirement across high school sites. There may be underutilisation of space in primary schools. It is a big decision. It is one that is being looked at. The government — Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The minister has been, along with myself, working on this issue. It is an issue that has enormous implications. The first issue to look at is what it means in terms of the education of every boy and girl in this state. That is important. Most people are probably of the view, with the change to the school starting age back in the 1990s, as that cohort comes through, that year 7 students should progress into high school. However, having said that, there is a lot more to this. Most of the private schools have already made that transition. There are issues with district high schools and there are issues for country parents who might send their children to school in Perth who would face, for example, another year of school fees. There are a lot of issues to look at very carefully. Of course, the other one is that the education department has 770 school sites around the state, there is probably another 300 independent Catholic school sites, and to move year 7s into high schools means there will be a substantial capital investment requirement across high school sites. There may be underutilisation of space in primary schools. It is a big decision. It is one that is being looked at. The government — Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
Mr E.S. Ripper : What are the financial implications? Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
Mr C.J . BARNETT : That is a big part of it. I have not got that number in front of me but it is very, very substantial. Do we do it in one go or do we phase it in? The government is looking at all those issues. I would hope over coming months, the government, on the advice of the Minister for Education, will make a decision as to the policy, the timing and the costings.
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