The Department for Education has announced that the State’s first-ever strategy for education in the country is expected to improve access for country students and remove barriers for attracting staff.
The Department said its Country Education Strategy would also involve upgrades to Information Technology in regional schools and ensure country perspectives were given greater prominence in the development and delivery of programs and policies.
It said country students would also gain access to a broader range of subjects.
Minister for Education, John Gardner said the Strategy set clear priorities for action in areas that would help achieve world-class education for country students.
“We aim to get better at attracting and retaining staff, including making sure there is a stronger pipeline of teachers supported to transition from university to the country,” Mr Gardner said.
He said the Strategy also aimed to improve the availability of quality relief teachers and broaden speech pathology and psychology services in country locations, to help students reach their full potential.
The Minister said the Strategy would give students greater exposure to career pathways to support their transition to further education and employment.
“Importantly, we’re also going to address some of the administrative burden that falls disproportionately on leaders in our smaller regional schools, with improvements to ICT infrastructure and better business support so that principals and preschool directors can focus more of their time on learning outcomes,” he said.
Mr Gardner said the Strategy was developed in consultation with regional principals and students, including representatives from the Rural Youth Ambassador Program which would receive further investment under the new initiative.
Further information on the Strategy can be accessed at this PS News link.
