The Government has written to all rural and regional high schools in Tasmania asking for expressions of interest to extend classes to year 12.
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Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the government's $45.5 million plan would see 21 high schools in rural and regional areas extended to year 12 by 2018, with all high schools extended by the end of 2024.
``We do not believe it is acceptable for Tasmania to have such low year 12 completion rates,'' Mr Rockliff said.
``We will provide a total of $45.5 million over four years towards extending these initial high schools, this will allow for the employment of up to 105 new teachers and $6 million for capital works.''
Northern Tasmanian schools asked to express interest in the first year include Exeter High School, Cressy District High School, Campbell Town District High School, Deloraine High School, Lilydale District School, Scottsdale High School, St Helens District High School and St Marys District High School
Mr Rockliff said the plan was aimed at improving year 12 completion rates by providing choice for grade 10 students at danger of dropping out post year 10.
``These are the students who for one reason or another are not making it to college.''
Greens education spokesman and former education minister Nick McKim accused Mr Rockliff of acting without evidence that the changes would increase retention.
``Evidence shows that the early years are where the biggest gains can be made, and the Liberals would be much better off extending our nation leading Launching into Learning program to grade 2 rather than experiment in the later years with no any evidence to back them up,'' Mr McKim said.
``Of course more needs to be done to offer year 11 and 12 in regional high schools, which was already occurring with many of the schools that the Liberals have invited to apply for funding already offering VET and/or pre-tertiary subjects to year 11 and 12 students.''
The following schools have been invited to express interest in the first year based on the ABS methodology defining schools in non-urban areas:
Exeter High School
Bothwell District High School
Campania District High School
Campbell Town District High School
Cressy District High School
King Island District High School
Oatlands District High School
Penguin District School
Triabunna District School
Woodbridge School
Yolla District High School
Cape Barren Island School
Deloraine High School
Dover District High School
Flinders Island District High School
Glenora District High School
Huonville High School
Lilydale District School
Mountain Heights School
Port Dalrymple School
Rosebery District High School
Scottsdale High School
Sheffield School
Smithton High School
St Helens District High School
St Marys District High School
Tasman District School
Winnaleah District High School