Local Mitchell government schools encouraged to become Independent Public Schools

Tuesday, 4 February 2014

Alex Hawke MP, Federal Member for Mitchell has encouraged local public schools to consider participating in the Coalition Government’s new $70 million Independent Public School initiative.

Alex Hawke said the Independent Public School initiative will help local government schools to become more independent by increasing their own local governance and community and parental engagement.

“I have written to all local public schools encouraging them to engage with this fantastic opportunity to become more independent and involve the whole school community in making decisions that will benefit their school and their students,” Alex Hawke said.

Minister for Education, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said the Coalition Government’s for Students First education reforms, includes a goal of 25 per cent – or approximately 1500 – existing public schools to become Independent Public Schools by 2017.

“We are working closely with state and territory education authorities to increase school diversity and give all Australian students choice for a high-quality education,” Mr Pyne said.

“We know that principals, parents and schools communities are best placed to make decisions on how their schools should be run.”

Research on school autonomy has helped develop five objectives for the Independent Public School initiative including:

1.      Increased local governance and parental involvement;

2.      Greater accountability to parents and the local community;

3.      Implementing streamlined or one-line budgets;

4.      Increased local management of school facilities and infrastructure; and

5.      Increased delegation over staffing for school principals to maximise student learning outcomes and student support services.

Under the Students First approach, the Australian Government will work with the states and territories, teachers and parents to focus on four key areas that will make a difference, including teacher quality, principal autonomy, engaging parents in education and strengthening the curriculum.

To complement the Independent Public Schools initiative, the Coalition Government has also released a Guide for Parents on School Boards and School Councils.

“The guide is designed to help explain the how school boards and councils work in different school systems in the states and territories and the ways parents can get involved in the governance of their child’s school.”

Further information on the Government’s Independent Public Schools policy, including the Guide for parents on school boards and school councils can be found at www.studentsfirst.gov.au.