Langbroek Should Defer ‘Day 8’ For Flood Area Schools

Media Release.

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk says the Newman Government should show compassion by postponing tomorrow’s (Thursday) annual “Day 8” enrolment census for schools in flood-affected areas of the state.

“For the start of the school year staff are allocated to schools based on estimated enrolments but a final staffing level is determined using enrolment counts conducted on the eighth day of the school year,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Following the 2010-11 summer of disasters the former government delayed the Day 8 count for schools in flood or cyclone-affected areas.

“Even if schools themselves are unaffected by floods, given the massive disruption to people’s lives caused by recent flooding it is only fair that Day 8 is again postponed until local communities are at least partially back on their feet.

“Families are facing enough trauma at present and many are being forced to live away from their homes which will impact on school enrolments in the short term and may even continue for much of the school year.

“The Education Minister needs to show some compassion and freeze the Day 8 enrolment requirements for all schools in those communities.

“The Newman Government has already decided that teacher allocations will be ‘rounded down’ rather than ‘rounded up’ based on Day 8 data.

“Many schools, not just those in flood-affected areas, will lose teachers and face increased class sizes and more composite classes resulting in major disruptions for students.

“Flood-affected schools and their local communities definitely should not be put in this position at this time.

“In addition, the government has sacked more than 200 resource teachers from state high schools which means fewer subjects are being offered and class sizes are likely to increase,” Ms Palaszczuk said.