State Budget 2017: Education prioritised with plans for the future

The Palaszczuk government’s third State Budget, handed down on 13 June, demonstrates a clear commitment to the future of public education in Queensland.

In this budget, the state government has shown that it listens to the needs of teachers. Announcements such as centrally funded IT support and a full-time teacher-aide in every prep class have been welcomed by members.

The government supports its future plans for state education with an allocation of $9.8 billion to DET. This brings DET’s total operating budget to $13.4 billion, which is a 6.4 per cent increase on last year.

While the funding growth is always welcome, it is the details that make this an exciting time for schools and teachers.

The 2017-18 State Budget offers immediate funding security for state schools. There are a number of new funding measures which communicate a clear vision for the future of public education in Queensland. This budget reflects a government that has listened to the needs of teachers as a number of goals set by the QTU through our annual State Budget Submission have been addressed.

More teachers and more resources

Budget measure Purpose
Approximately $250 million Secured Investing for Success (I4S) funding for the next two years, to provide schools with funding security amid federal funding uncertainty.
$24.8 million allocated over four years Every state primary school achieves a pro-rated full-time (25 hours per week) teacher-aide for prep classes, through the allocation of an extra 4,000 hours per week of teacher-aide time.
$138.6 million Spread over four years, this will provide dedicated IT support in state schools, starting with $16 million in 2017-18 (allocated to schools from the start of the 2018 school year). Allocated on the basis of a 1.0 full-time equivalent T02 technician per 1,000 students (pro-rated), with a minimum allocation of $3,000 for schools with up to 50 students. Around $40 million per year ongoing. 
$4.3 million Funding for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) partnerships in primary schools, supporting high achievement in STEM education, building teacher capability, and increasing student participation. Allocated on the basis of $100 per student, with a minimum allocation of $5,000 for schools with up to 50 students. This will be supported to grow to $36.9 million in 2020-21.
More than 1,150 teachers and teacher-aides for 2018 More than 600 teachers and teacher-aides to meet enrolment growth, and 230 FTEs to support breadth of curriculum in senior secondary over the 2018 and 2019 school years as we transition towards six full cohorts in secondary by 2020.
Final tranche of $152.4 million
(over three years)		 295 teacher FTEs above growth under the three-year 875 extra teachers election commitment to put downward pressure on class sizes.
Final tranche of $8.9 million
(over three years)		 15 additional secondary guidance officers, which is part of the 45 promised as an election commitment.
$150 million over three years A fourth and final year of the master teacher program. To fund programs that will support the attraction and retention of new teachers. Implementing the recommendations of the 2017 report on the Deloitte’s Disability Review.
$72.9 million Supporting the implementation of the agreed outcomes of the Review of Senior Assessment and Tertiary Entrance over five years, with a $27.6 million allocation in 2017-18. 

More schools and better buildings

$250 million                     From 2018-19, this will address the need for new classrooms and other state high school infrastructure needs to accommodate the six full cohorts in 2020.
$500 million                                       Building Future Schools Fund, over five years, to build two new state secondary schools in inner Brisbane and to address enrolment growth pressures in state schools across the state.
$200 million Advancing Queensland Schools initiative to deliver new and upgraded school facilities, such as halls and administration blocks, and to acquire future land requirements for state schooling.

More houses and better standards

$82.7 million  State government to build or buy new houses, over four years, in rural and remote communities, including 36 for DET.
$23 million                            Over two years, addressing a backlog of maintenance on more than 800 residences utilised by DET.
$40.2 million  Over four years, providing capital upgrades and improvements, with DET accommodation receiving 312 upgrades and 1,758 improvements.

TAFE

After experiencing an approximate $105 million funding shortfall from the federal government, it appears that TAFE funding will increase by more than $8 million in 2017-18 through the State Contribution Grant, set at $203 million for the public providers of VET in Queensland in 2018.

$60 million       Continue the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program.
$10 million Regional Skills Adjustment strategy over two years.
$9 million Regional Skills Investment strategy over four years.

A new Barrett Centre to cater for adolescent mental health

$68.9 million                                      The creation of a new adolescent mental health facility and program based in northern Brisbane, with state-wide responsibilities for mental health services for adolescents.

Giau Nguyen                                                                                                                         Acting Industrial and Research Officer

Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 122 No 5, 21 July 2017, p12-13