a majority liberal government will:
Regardless of background or circumstance every young person deserves a quality education.
The Tasmanian Liberals have prioritised investment in education from the early years to year 12 because education is the single most powerful driver for improving economic and social outcomes in Tasmania including health, life expectancy, happiness and productivity.
Since our election in 2014, we have employed more than 600 full-time additional education staff, including:
- 259 teachers
- 250 teacher assistants
- 80 professional support staff
- 42 school nurses
- 45 Administration staff
We have nearly completed the extension of all high schools to year 12, lifting the apparent retention rates by 10 per cent, under a policy never supported by Labor.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will continue to invest in education, turbo boosting our efforts to improve literacy outcomes by investing heavily into specialised literacy coaches.
At the same time, we will:
- Continue to focus on breaking down barriers to learning with a holistic approach which includes mental health and wellbeing, anti-bullying measures, trauma support, with an unprecedented investment of $81 million since elected.
- Continue to roll out our nation-leading free pre-school program for eligible three-year-olds Working Together.
- Continue needs-based funding for students with disability, which has provided 2000 more students with support.
- Continue to invest into quality schools and learning spaces.
- Continue our investment into our new Student Support Scheme, enabling more families to receive levy support.
- Continue to remove barriers to learning by making pads and tampons freely available in all government schools from Term 3, this year.
Improve educational outcomes
NAPLAN data published on My School shows that more Tasmanian Government schools are tracking above similar schools across Australia in Reading, Writing and Numeracy at every year level – 3,5,7 and 9.
But we know we can do even better.
That’s why the Liberal Government recently announced that by 2029 no government school student would enter Year 7 without being above the national minimum standard for reading.~
We are making sure that phonics is taught in every school with additional professional support being rolled out for teachers, adding to our investment of over $35 million into literacy initiatives.
Increase by 50 per cent the number of in-school quality literacy coaches to work in our classrooms, with a further 40 coaches and a new Literacy Advisory Panel
We will employ an additional 40 FTE in-school quality literacy coaches to work in classrooms, with teachers, to implement evidence-based literacy programs.
This represents a 50 per cent increase in the number of in-school quality literacy coaches, and will further support our Year 7 literacy target.
In addition, a re-elected Majority Liberal Government will provide $300,000 to secretariat and project management support for the newly announced Literacy Advisory Panel to undertake a review of current community literacy approaches and supports in place in Tasmania.
This comprehensive review is an important piece of work to enable us to progress towards the aspirational goal of 100 per cent functional literacy in Tasmania.
Invest $9.2 million in additional professional support staff
Early diagnosis can make all the difference when it comes to any learning difficulties faced by students.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will:
Provide free access to speech pathologists, psychologists and social workers for every Child and Family Learning Centre
We will invest $3.82 million to replicate the Support and Wellbeing team model currently in government schools in our Child and Family Learning Centres.
This means there will be free access to speech pathologists, psychologists and social workers for every child and family attending one of the 12 Child and Family Learning Centres across the State.
Employ additional school nurses, to add to the 42.7 full-time school nurses already recruited under a Liberal Government
It took a Liberal Government to reintroduce school health nurses which were abolished under a Labor Government.
These nurses have proven a huge success in assisting students for a whole range of issues, including stress and anxiety, eating disorders, and other mental health issues.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will invest $5.36 million to employ an additional 11.4 FTE full-time Grade 4 nurses, and 3 full-time Grade 6 Clinical Nurse Educators to this program.
This will further support health prevention and early intervention initiatives, including amplified efforts to reduce youth smoking and obesity.
Extend the successful mental health program, Stay ChatTY in Schools, with a further investment of $750,000 until 2026
Aimed at students in years 9-12, this innovative program focused on raising mental health awareness, resilience and building students’ confidence to seek help when they need, for themselves, and their peers, is a great addition in our schools.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will extend the Stay ChatTY in Schools program with $750,000 in funding until the end of 2026.
Continue our significant investment in trauma support for students with behavioural challenges, and professional development for all teachers and teacher assistants, with an additional $8 million
We know that trauma can have a significant impact on a students’ ability to learn.
Currently around 125 students receive individual trauma support, however we know referrals are on the rise.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will invest a further $6 million over four years to help meet growing demand, supporting an extra 100 students every year, across our schools.
This is in addition to the $14 million announced in the 2020-21 state budget to support students with trauma and behavioural challenges and is part of our holistic approach to mental health and wellbeing.
In addition, we will roll-out professional development in trauma for all teachers and teacher assistants, ensuring every school leader, teacher and teacher’s aide in Tasmanian Government schools have the knowledge and skills to adapt teaching practices to support the learning of young people impacted by mental health issues and trauma.
We will invest an additional $2 million over two years for this professional development, with priority given to graduate teachers and those in rural and regional schools.
Invest $6.3 million in anti-bullying measures in secondary schools by making student bathrooms safer
The Combatting Bullying Initiative is a Liberal Government program introduced in government schools to address the full range of causes and consequences of bullying and cyber bullying.
While the latest annual wellbeing survey indicates 86 percent of students feel safe at school, and we have seen suspensions for bullying decrease noticeably between 2017 to 2020, we know there is more work to be done.
It is well known that old-style style toilet blocks, particularly in secondary schools are potential bullying zones.
To make these areas safer, we will invest $6.3 million over four years to gradually upgrade toilets at 42** high schools and district school sites to individual private cubicles with basins.
This is an important anti-bullying measure which will also see students benefit from more modern amenities.
In addition, we will work with the Department of Education to ensure there is a consistent approach when responding to bullying through the introduction of minimum standards and strengthening current reporting guidelines.
Expand our school lunches pilot to 30 schools with an investment of $1.4 million*
An empty stomach and inadequate nutrition can impact on a young person’s ability to concentrate and learn.
We will invest $1.4 million to run Food for Thought, an expanded school lunch pilot in 30 schools over the next two years as part of our food relief efforts in low socio-economic regions.
The pilot will include grants for participating schools to purchase kitchen equipment and the provision of food through the expansion of base funding for food security organisations.
Additional funding will also be provided to the Tasmanian School Canteen Association to support schools to develop their own food plans and implement a healthy lunch program.
Dietician support will also be provided through the Department of Health.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will enable schools the flexibility to tailor food provision to the needs of their students and encourage innovative responses and learnings.
This two-year pilot will be independently evaluated and include measuring impact on student learning outcomes.
Provide $5 million to deliver a Renewable Energy Schools program
A re-elected Liberal Majority Government will provide $5 million to deliver a new Renewable Energy Schools program that will roll out solar panels in all Government schools.
The initial outlay of $5 million will fund solar panels in over 100 schools over the next four years, with the savings in energy bills used to make the program self-sustaining.
All savings will be re-invested back into the Renewable Energy Schools Fund until solar has been rolled out in all Government schools.
Start the work to make senior secondary assessments online, with an investment of $4.7 million
Under a Liberal Government, the apparent retention rate in Tasmanian government schools has increased by nearly 10 per cent. This demonstrates our Plan to keep more students engaged in education, by extending all high schools to year 11 and 12, is working.
The attainment rate for the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) has also increased by a similar amount.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will work in collaboration with other education sectors to continue to progress the Year 9 to 12 Project aimed at ensuring all students are able to achieve their potential through their schooling and beyond in further study, training and employment.
In addition, we will deliver senior secondary assessments and exams in the same way in which senior secondary students undertake their studies – using technology and online platforms.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will invest $4.7 million to start building or licensing a secure, reliable, fit-for-purpose online assessment platform that seamlessly connects to existing student management systems.
There is increasing momentum within Australasian Curriculum Assessment and Certification Authorities to move away from paper-based assessments and it is important Tasmanian students aren’t left behind.
Undertake an extensive renewal program to revitalise learning spaces in our schools right around the State, with an additional $100 million investment
All students deserve to learn in state-of-the-art facilities that meet their learning needs.
The Liberal Government announced more than $204 million in capital works in the 2020-21 budget.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will add another $100 million taking our total school infrastructure budget over the forward estimates to a record $304 million to deliver quality schools and learning spaces across the State.We will:
Undertake a Classroom Renewal Blitz
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will invest $10 million over four years to commence a co-ordinated State-wide blitz to renew and upgrade outdated classrooms, with a focus on schools in low socio-economic areas.
While last century classroom sizes were on average 50 square metres, contemporary learning spaces are now around 80 square metres and have much greater functionality.
Schools included in the classroom blitz are:
- South George Town Primary School
- East Derwent Primary School
- Dodges Ferry Primary School
- Mowbray Heights Primary School
- Lilydale District School
- Glen Dhu Primary School
- Ringarooma Primary School
- Port Dalrymple School
- Risdon Vale Primary School
- Campbell Town Primary School
- Havenview Primary School
- Rosetta Primary School
$20 Million Support School Package
The existing North-West support school in Devonport is not fit for purpose and not large enough to meet current needs. Its location on the side of a hill presents considerable mobility challenges for many students.
We will invest $15.5 million over 3 years to construct a brand-new purpose-built support school on a new site, which will include a hydrotherapy pool.
We will also provide an additional $4.5 million for upgrades at the North-West Support School, Burnie campus and at the Southern Support school
Modernise Exeter High School
Exeter High School’s facilities are outdated and require a major renovation.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will invest $11 million to upgrade classrooms to larger more contemporary learning spaces across all year levels.
We will also modernise specialist areas such as kitchens, the library and Arts facilities.
Extend Lauderdale Primary School
Lauderdale Primary School is in a growing area and these works will enable the school to best meet the educational needs of the region.
We will invest $6.5 million to undertake significant capital works at Lauderdale Primary School, including the provision of additional contemporary learning spaces, amenities and the redevelopment of outdated outdoor play areas.
Revitalise Montello Primary School
We will invest $7.1 million to undertake a major redevelopment of Montello Primary school which will provide students with contemporary learning environments, associated support spaces and amenities.
Expand Cambridge Primary School
A growth in student numbers means Cambridge Primary School is now in need of a major redevelopment.
We will invest $15.1 million to provide additional modern learning environments, for a gymnasium, and to undertake traffic and car parking improvements.
Upgrade Agricultural facilities at Bothwell and Campbell Town District Schools
We will invest $4 million ($2 million for each school) to upgrade and consolidate agricultural facilities at both Bothwell and Campbell Town District Schools.
With student interest in agricultural studies continuing to grow, this funding will boost the ability of these schools to increase and expand their agricultural VET programs which are continuing to grow in popularity.
Invest in co-education high school facilities in Hobart
We are providing more co-educational choice for students with Ogilvie and New Town High Schools moving to co-educational provision in 2022 as the next phase of their Hobart city partnership with Elizabeth College.
Funding has already been provided for immediate requirements such as new bathroom amenities and learning area upgrades.
A re-elected Majority Liberal Government will commit an additional $20 million towards further priority infrastructure requirements identified through the Hobart city partner schools’ masterplan which is due later this year.
These capital works will provide for future growth and ensure that students can enjoy new state of the art facilities.
First 100 Days in Government:
- Advertise for 1st tranche of school nurses (June);
- Advertise for 1st tranche of speech pathologists, psychologists and social workers in CFLC’s (June);
- EOI process underway for our Literacy Advisory Panel (May);
- Identify additional 100 students who require intensive trauma support;
- Identify the 1st tranche of schools for our Renewable Energy program (solar) and our Supporting Safer Schools program (toilets) – (end of July).
Current work underway right now:
- Introduced needs-based funding model for students with disability.
- More staff in our schools – by the end of 2024, we will have employed an additional 358 new staff, including 250 new teachers.
- Extending every Government High School to Year 12– with one school (Taroona High) to be extended in 2022.
- Access to a Literacy and Numeracy Coach in every Tasmanian Government School.
- Revitalising School Farms – $16 million investment
- Expanding free preschool for vulnerable three-year-olds, with 240 places offered in 2020 and 2021.
- Free sanitary products for all Government schools – from Term 3.
- Youth Mental Health first aid training for school nurses commencing this year
- Online professional development in mental health/trauma informed practices for all Principals and Well-being Lead teachers
- Building 6 new Child and Family Learning Centres.
- $50 million for a new Brighton High school (first students in 2025)
- $24 million for a new Legana Primary School (first students in 2024)
- Hobart City Partner Schools - $1.6 million for urgent works including co-educational toilet facilities and refurbished general learning areas.
Our record in Government:
- $7.5 billion investment in education - $2 billion more than the last Labor-Green budget in 2013.
- Tasmania now has the highest in-school staff to student ratio of any State or Territory in the country.
- 56 high schools extended to Year 12
- $45.88 million for students with disability.
- Reintroduction of school health nurses (cut by Labor).
- Apparent retention of students from year 10 to year 12 in Tasmanian Government Schools increased by almost 10% - above the national rate.
LABOR/GREEN RECORD:
- Tried to close 20 schools
- Cut school nurses
- Opposed extending high schools to year 11 and 12
- Created chaos for senior secondary students with their Tas Tomorrow disaster
**Bathroom facility upgrades include:
- Bayview Secondary College
- Bothwell District High School
- Brooks High School
- Burnie High School
- Campania District School
- Campbell Town District High School
- Clarence High School
- Cressy District High School
- Devonport High School
- Dover District School
- Glenora District School
- Huonville High School
- JRLF - School Farm
- King Island District High School
- Kingston High School
- Lilydale District School
- Mountain Heights School
- New Norfolk High School
- New Town High School
- Northern Support School - Ravenswood
- Oatlands District High School
- Ogilvie High School
- Ouse District School
- Parklands High School
- Penguin District School
- Port Dalrymple School
- Prospect High School
- Queechy High School
- Reece High School
- Riverside High School
- Rose Bay High School
- Rosebery District High School
- Scottsdale High School
- Sheffield School
- Sheffield School (Railton Campus)
- St Helens District High School
- Taroona High School
- Triabunna District School
- Winnaleah District High School
- Woodbridge School
- Wynyard High School
- Yolla District School
COSTINGS
This policy costs:
- $14.9 million in State funding
- $13.9 million in bilateral funding^
- $105 million in capital funding.
*Costed in another policy
~ Exemptions may apply for students who don’t sit NAPLAN due to specific learning challenges.