The state’s peak school organisation has moved to reassure families amid growing speculation about potential school closures during the election campaign.
The Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations (TASSO) says no major party has put forward any plans to shut schools, despite rising community concerns.
Economist Saul Eslake this week suggested, as reported by ACM, that closing some schools could save millions and lift educational outcomes.
“Despite the headlines, we’ve not seen any tabled policy from the major parties to close schools or otherwise in this election campaign,” TASSO President John Allan said.
Eslake pointed out that Tasmania spends 25% more per student than the national average but still gets worse results, partly because it has “way too many small schools”.
He highlighted Ulverstone, which has three government primary schools for 10,000 residents and multiple schools around Smithton, as examples of inefficiency.
Allan warned that “politically expedient mandates” could backfire, pointing to Ouse District School as an example of a “zombie school” with no students.
The organisation is calling for transparent, evidence-based dialogue about Tasmania’s education future, saying a lack of clarity is fuelling fear in communities already doing it tough.
“We need to avoid having change forced by stealth with communities kept in the dark,” Allan said.
“Under state legislation, any reforms or changes to schools must involve the school association.”
“Our member school associations are the voice of the school community and they must be central to any conversations around structural or operational changes.”
He said families don’t need “political distractions and scaremongering” in the middle of an election campaign.
Tasmania currently has, according to I305, 66 government schools with fewer than 200 students, including 28 with fewer than 100 and 12 with fewer than 50.
Most of the smallest schools are in the north-west electorate of Braddon.
