Nearly $7 million in public funding was allocated to Tasmanian schools last year despite having virtually no Year 12 students, new data has revealed.
Right to Information data obtained by Labor shows the government spent close to $7 million last year on 33 schools with five or fewer Year 12 enrolments. Ten of these schools had no Year 12 students at all.
Labor leader Josh Willie said the figures exposed wasteful spending under the state government’s extension school system, which was introduced 12 years ago as a solution to Tasmania’s education challenges.
“$7 million for 33 schools with five enrolments or less in Year 12,” he said. “That is wasteful spending. This policy that the Liberals came to government with hasn’t been the silver bullet they presented it as.”
The extension school program, which expanded Year 11 and 12 classes into regional high schools, was designed to improve retention and attainment rates.
However, Willie said Tasmania’s education results had continued to lag behind national averages.
“Our retention rates across Years 11 and 12 are below the national average,” he said. “Our attainment rate as a state has been at some of the lowest levels it’s been ever.”
Willie acknowledged the policy had worked in some communities but called for a government review to ensure place-based solutions tailored to local needs.
“What we’re calling for today is a review of this system to make sure that communities have tailored solutions for them,” he said.
“Can they connect the school better to industry? Can they provide better transport options?”
The Labor leader said staffing allocations were made to schools at the start of the year through the school resource package, meaning schools with minimal or no enrolments were still attracting significant funding.
Government minister Bridget Archer defended the program, saying it provided vital opportunities for regional students who would otherwise face barriers to education.
“I would love to see Josh Willie go out and tell the students in my community why they don’t deserve to get an education, why they’re not worth the investment in their education in their town,” she said.
“I think it shows that this Labor opposition is out of touch when it comes to regional Tasmania as well where kids might have to travel otherwise to get to school who might otherwise choose not to go.”
