Skip to content
The Catholic Leader
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
The Catholic Leader
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion Letters

Pledge on Education Reform

byStaff writers
31 March 2002
Reading Time: 3 mins read
AA
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

I AM happy to answer the questions posed about the impact on Catholic education of the Government’s package of reforms and proposals, ‘Queensland the Smart State – Education and Training Reforms for the Future’ (Reform plan upsets Catholic education, CL 17/3/02).

As the Government has previously acknowledged to Joe McCorley and other stakeholders, the circumstances leading to the release of the package were exceptional. Because of the nature of the reforms, and the importance of securing total support across the Government, I decided Cabinet approval should precede discussions with stakeholders.

I explained this on March 4 to a meeting of stakeholders – held shortly after the Cabinet meeting, but before the public release of the document. Joe was at this meeting, and he has since met with and received correspondence from the Education Minister, Anna Bligh.

It is important to bear in mind that no decisions about either preparatory schools or the school leaving age have been taken. These reforms are subject to trials and public consultation.

The Queensland Catholic Education Commission will be represented on a reference group established to oversee Education Queensland’s work on early education.

The commission has accepted an invitation from Anna Bligh to take part in the new Ministerial Council for Education Renewal, which will oversee the school leaving age issue.

The Government also anticipates that Catholic education stakeholders will take a significant role in consultation surrounding the school leaving age.

As detailed in correspondence to Joe, the staffing costs associated with the prep school trials will be met through the Government’s election commitment to increase teacher numbers. The Queensland Catholic Education Commission will be welcome to use funds flowing from this commitment to join in the trials.

If the trials succeed and we introduce the prep year statewide, extra recurrent funding will become available to the Catholic education sector through the agreed basket nexus arrangements.

The Government’s preliminary costings include provision for capital funding for the non-government education sector to assist with the costs of introduction of a full-time preparatory year. I am committed to further consultation with the sector around the potential funding implications of this proposal.

Related Stories

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

Any recurrent funding increases linked to increased retention rates would be subject to the basket nexus formula.

The Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) package will also benefit Catholic students and teachers. It is estimated that $1.2 million will flow through to the non-government sector in 2002-03. This will rise to $1.4 million from 2003-4 onwards, on an ongoing annual basis.

The minister has discussed with the Queensland Catholic Education Commission the potential to join forces and maximise buying power when purchasing ICT equipment. This could result in capital savings for Catholic schools.

In conclusion, the Government values the Catholic education sector, and is prepared to learn from its successes. Some Catholic schools have already taken the lead by introducing a full-time year of prep schooling. The sector can also take pride in its record of improving retention rates.

I assure you we will continue to work and consult with the sector. We will look forward to receiving the sector’s considered input on our reforms and proposals.

I am passionate about improving education and training opportunities for this state’s children and young people – regardless of where they attend school.

I believe children in the Catholic system will benefit from ‘Queensland the Smart State – Education and Training Reforms for the Future’, and I look forward to working with the sector to optimise the benefits.

PETER BEATTIE Queensland Premier Brisbane, Qld

ShareTweet
Previous Post

A BEAUTIFUL MIND

Next Post

Euthanasia Called Off

Staff writers

Related Posts

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies
QLD

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

20 May 2022
Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition
QLD

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

20 May 2022
Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning
QLD

Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

19 May 2022
Next Post

Euthanasia Called Off

Bishops' Call for Compassion

Easter Plea for Peace

Popular News

  • Pregnant woman

    Queensland election: The pro-life political parties committed to abortion law reforms

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Here are the stories of 10 new saints being canonised this Sunday

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Nationwide rosary event happening for Australia’s patroness this Saturday

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Angel’s Kitchen serves hot meals to the hungry in Southport

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Search our job finder
No Result
View All Result

Latest News

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies
QLD

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

by Joe Higgins
20 May 2022
0

BRISBANE grandmother Gwendoline Grant has clocked up 15,000 hours cuddling and caring for sick and premature babies...

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

20 May 2022
Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

19 May 2022
Catholic relationship advisers offer five tips to look after your mental health

Nationwide rosary event happening for Australia’s patroness this Saturday

19 May 2022
Francis offers advice on politics: Seek unity, don’t get lost in conflict

Francis offers advice on politics: Seek unity, don’t get lost in conflict

19 May 2022

Never miss a story. Sign up to the Weekly Round-Up
eNewsletter now to receive headlines directly in your email.

Sign up to eNews
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

The Catholic Leader is an Australian award-winning Catholic newspaper that has been published by the Archdiocese of Brisbane since 1929. Our journalism seeks to provide a full, accurate and balanced Catholic perspective of local, national and international news while upholding the dignity of the human person.

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader
Accessibility Information | Privacy Policy | Archdiocese of Brisbane

The Catholic Leader acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples of this country and especially acknowledge the traditional owners on whose lands we live and work throughout the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyChoose another Subscription
    Continue Shopping