Labor and LNP's competing $1 billion education promises

Labor’s $1 billion promise to upgrade Queensland schools has predictably been welcomed by the education sector, while the state opposition vowed to spend the same amount on new teachers and aides.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the biggest funding announcement of the state election campaign so far while in Cairns on Friday.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk visiting the Smithfield State High School construction site in Cairns on FridayCredit: Lydia Lynch

"We all know how important education is for Queensland and Queensland families," she said.

The Premier said the $1 billion would be spent on 26 new halls and performing arts centres, new classrooms at 46 schools and new playground and fencing.

"Not only will this mean more comfortable and modern education facilities, but it also means a significant pipeline of work for local tradies," Ms Palaszczuk said.

Almost half of the cash to pay for the announcement will come from a $4 billion pot of money the government borrowed over the forward estimates.

The rest will come from a $51.8 billion infrastructure program that has already been announced.

LNP education spokesman Jarrod Bleijie said a Deb Frecklington-led government would also invest $1 billion in schools.

"The LNP will invest more than $1 billion to deliver an additional 3350 new teachers and 760 new teacher aides across Queensland," he said.

"The LNP’s plan for education also includes getting back to basics by decluttering the curriculum, airconditioning every state school, improving reading with a phonics screen check and supporting local principals, teachers and parents to run their schools."

Mr Bleijie said "education bureaucrats" under Labor had been "more focused on keeping Jackie Trad happy than supporting our teachers and students".

Ms Trad, the former deputy premier, resigned from cabinet in May following a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation into alleged interference in the selection of a local principal.

She was cleared of any wrongdoing but the CCC said the recruitment process had gone "off the rails".

Queensland Teachers Union president Kevin Bates says Labor's funding promise would help address the expected rapid growth of state schools in the coming decade.

"One of the key issues for us this election was a commitment to school infrastructure ... we have a growing state schools sector and we're expecting an extra 8000 students per year from now to 2030," he said.

"Clearly, this [funding announcement] highlights a strong commitment to building infrastructure and expanding existing facilities ... as well as a significant commitment to new schools."

Mr Bates said the union would "look forward with interest" to any LNP school infrastructure announcements.

"One thing we certainly know is that a strong commitment to schools is part of the COVID-19 recovery," he said.

While welcoming the announcement, P&Cs Queensland chief executive Scott Wiseman said whichever government was elected on October 31 should also focus on investment into information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure.

"Investments into ICT, resources and teacher training areas aren’t as visible as new halls and classrooms, however the differences that investment in these areas can make to a student’s school experience is priceless," he said.