LABOR’S soon-to-be-revealed education plan will put a hold on extending high schools but will still encourage all students to complete year 12.
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Opposition education spokeswoman Michelle O’Byrne said on Sunday that extending all high schools in Tasmania would kill the college system.
For schools already extended to year 11 and 12, she said the Labor government would work with the schools to determine whether they should be rolled back to stop at year 10 as before.
The plan is set to be announced when Opposition Leader Bryan Green delivers his budget reply on Tuesday.
“We should be working on all the issues of transition, investing in our families with child and family centres, investing in our communities, investing in our schools,” Ms O’Byrne said.
“We know that transition is a problem for some kids but we also know that those kids who don’t transition have trouble engaging in the school system.
“Any year 11 and 12 education should be overseen by year 11 and 12 specialists.”
Ms O’Byrne said she supported the extension of some schools in rural areas but was scared an overhaul of all schools would impact colleges.
“The reason we want a college system in Tasmania is because we have a small population and so to provide the diversity of courses that kids need to see them on a pathway … we actually need to give them a range of opportunities,” she said.
“I have a fundamental fear that what will end up happening is bright kids will get told to go to college and children who might need additional support … will be told to stay in their high schools.”
Any year 11 and 12 education should be overseen by year 11 and 12 specialists.
- Opposition Education Spokesperson Michelle O'Byrne
Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the Labor government was stuck in the past on education.
“Labor has confirmed yet again they have learned nothing as they plan to take Tasmania’s education system back to the failed policies of the past,” Mr Rockliff said.
“The Hodgman liberal government came to government promising changes to fix Tasmania’s education system and we’re getting on with the job, with 30 schools set to extend to years 11 and 12 from next year.
“No schools have been forced to change. The strong demand for schools to extend has been driven by school communities who want to make positive change.”
