Jeremy Rockliff,Minister for Education and Training
The Hodgman Liberal Government wants all children and their families to have the best possible start to the 2019 school year.
Today, more than 62,200 students will arrive at their schools to start a new school year. This will include:
- 4673 Kindergarten students
- 33,638 Primary School students
- 15,737 Secondary School students
- 7589 Senior Secondary students; and
- 660 students attending Early Childhood Intervention Services.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest students and their families along with all those who are returning for another exciting year.
Welcome back also to all of our dedicated teachers, principals, leaders and school staff as we all work to achieve our vision for successful, skilled and innovative Tasmanians supported by lifelong learning.
The Hodgman Liberal Government is investing a record $324 million into education including 358 more staff and $192 million into education infrastructure as we prioritise lifting education achievement in Tasmania.
Across the State we currently support:
- 126 Primary Schools
- 29 High Schools
- 25 District High Schools
- 8 Senior secondary colleges; and
- 8 Special Schools
Our thoughts are also with the school communities in Southern Tasmania impacted by bushfires and smoke and our thanks to the staff and community at Huonville Primary and High Schools for accommodating students and teachers from Glen Huon, Geeveston, Franklin and Dover over the next few weeks, until it is safe to return.
It is also timely to remind all Tasmanians that 40kmh speed limits will be back in place to make our School Zones as safe as possible.
2019 will see the continuation of our 150 years of public education celebrations, with a series of events with the theme “then, now and beyond”. These events will promote the achievements and significance of public education in Tasmania.
My best wishes to you all for a happy, safe and successful 2019.
Our targets for Education and Training include:
- Invest a record $324 million over 6 years into Education including 250 more teachers and 358 new staff in total.
- Invest $192 million in Education infrastructure.
- By 2020 be at or above the national standard in every single NAPLAN measurement in reading, writing, maths and science.
- Ensure the retention rate of students from years 10-12 is at or above the national average by 2022.
- 75 per cent of all students to complete their TCE by 2022.
