Major reform to the state’s education system, including a controversial lowering of the school age by six months, will finally be tabled in the Tasmanian Parliament this morning.
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These changes have been floated for the past 18 months.
They include lowering the school starting age to four years and six months for prep and three years and six months for kindergarten, and lifting the minimum education and training leaving requirement to completion of year 12 or equivalent – a trade certificate III or apprenticeship.
The voluntary earlier starting age would apply to children born in 2016 and the compulsory school leaving requirement would apply to students who started year 7 in 2016.
The changes to the Education Act also include stiffer penalties for truancy.
The government will also table changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act today, following criticism that it had not allowed for enough consultation.
The Labor and Greens parties are expected to move significant amendments to both of these bills.