The Department of Education has announced that almost 870,000 students, 54,000 teachers and 19,000 teacher aides have begun the 2021 school year across the State.
Of the 870,000 students, the Department said about 582,000 were at Queensland’s 1,254 State schools.
It said independent and Catholic schools welcomed more than 284,000 students across 535 schools.
Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk said State school students would be entering more classrooms, with more teachers and better facilities in 2021.
“Our infrastructure spend in 2020-21 of $1.9 billion is also an investment in almost 4,800 jobs for local tradies as we unite and recover from the impact of the global pandemic,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
The Premier marked the start of the school year by visiting Heatley Secondary College in Townsville with Minister for Education, Grace Grace and MP for Thuringowa, Aaron Harper.
“Heatley Secondary College is benefitting from $12 million worth of new and upgraded facilities including a refurbished performing arts centre, visual arts rooms, new staff rooms, staff conference room and student wellbeing hub,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
Mr Harper said the performing arts facility would see the school’s instrumental music program expanded to include strings as well as dance classes for students.
“The new performing arts facility will enable the school to launch its Creative Technologies Academy next year, bringing together the performing arts and technologies already available through the on-site Townsville Creative Technologies Centre,” Mr Harper said.
Ms Grace said that as well as five new State schools opening their doors for the first time “we’re also on track to deliver three new State schools for 2022, supporting almost 600 jobs”.
