Soaring suspension rates in our schools
Education Department figures obtained by the Tasmanian Liberals through an FOI reveal that suspensions in our schools have soared in recent years.
In 2008, 6667 suspensions were issued to a total of 3118 students. But in 2009, nearly 1000 more suspensions were issued to an extra 300 students. The shocking 2009 suspension figures obtained by the Liberals show 7630 suspensions were issued to 3425 students. That’s a 14 per cent increase in just one year. The figures are alarming especially given the absenteeism rate for school students also averaged 10 per cent in 2009.
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Former Rocherlea Primary School site disgrace
Mr FERGUSON (Bass) – I rise to bring to the attention of the House a matter of great concern to many people in my electorate of Bass. I have been approached by a number of residents in my electorate who are pretty angry and very concerned about what is happening in their community. It reflects very poorly on this Government and in particular the Minister for Education and her predecessor. I am talking about the former site of what was the Rocherlea Primary School.
NBN, for the record…
David Bartlett has seen the light. Maybe someone other than him is capable of an original thought!
At Budget Estimates last month, I played a game of cat and mouse with our Premier regarding what I regard as a flawed model to rollout fibre-optic around Tasmania. The Premier’s model which asked required people to read, understand and return documentation (ie “opt-in”) has resulted in less than half of the eligible homes and businesses to get the fibre dropped to their premises, at no cost to themselves.
read moreTeachers should be able to feel safe in their classrooms
It is a sad indictment on our society that Tasmanian teachers are increasingly being attacked by children as young as seven.
Recent classroom outbursts including a student stabbing a teacher with a pen, a student trying to strangle a teacher and a teacher being punched in the face, are just a few examples of what teachers across the state are telling me about violence in the classroom.
I am not suggesting that the violence problem is out of control, but it’s been simmering for many years because of a lack of clear leadership on the issue.
read moreAuditor-General’s report into science education
As a former science, IT and mathematics teacher, I welcome the release of the Special Report of the Auditor-General into science education in public high schools.
The Auditor-General’s report brings relief with regard to the issues of workforce supply and qualification, but that is where the good news ends.
read moreBudget Estimates: Education wrap-up
Mr FERGUSON – I will be leading the response from the Liberals with regard to Minister Thorp’s Estimates. I would like to say I found the Estimates process at times frustrating and at others rewarding. I want to thank the minister for a robust discussion, her general willingness to be helpful with the answers and for also providing her answers to questions on notice. I understand that there are still a couple more outstanding and I look forward to getting those. I would like to say that, frankly, were it not for a robust discussion and our line of questioning, certainly on my part, there can be no doubt that the quality and quantity of information that was received probably would not have been put on the record. That is why I must say I really did find the Estimates process a valuable exercise.
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