Queensland Government calls review into independent public schools

THE future of independent public schools set up under the Newman government is in doubt after the Queensland Government launched a review backed by the teachers’ union.

THE future of independent public schools set up under the Newman government is in doubt after the State Government launched a review backed by the teachers’ union.

There are 250 such Queensland schools, which could have $13 million in funding and their autonomy stripped away under the review before next year.

The schools have more say in which teachers they hire but are opposed by the union, which argues they exacerbate staff shortages in regional areas and do not lead to better student results.

But parents and principals at the schools say the model gives them autonomy and a say over their direction.

Education Minister Grace Grace revealed the state had halted all applications for independent public schools in a written statement tabled in Parliament that did not mention the review.

Ms Grace later said an inquiry would consider “pluses and minuses” of the schools before funding was allocated for the new year in 2019.

But opposition education spokesman Jarrod Bleijie said the announcement would send “shivers down the spines of all these principals, parents and teachers”.

Terms of reference for the review have not been released. PotentialPlus Solutions has been commissioned to review the schools by July.

Each school gets $50,000 in extra funding a year from the state after initial federal funding finished last year.

Queensland Teachers’ Union president Kevin Bates said the schools, which are mostly in southeast Queensland could “pick and choose” teachers and warned this created a “two-tier system”.

David Gillespie, the School Council Chair of Brisbane State High. (AAP Image/Steve Pohlner)

But David Gillespie, the chair of the Brisbane State High council, said his school was able to choose specialist teachers who may not have been allocated otherwise.

He warned “it would be a real retrograde step” if the system was scrapped.

Queensland Secondary Principals’ Association president Mark Breckinridge said the system gave schools greater “control”.

Each school has a council, including parents, teachers and students, and sets strategies for the institution.

Lynette McCorquodale has had two children attend Ascot State School, including Leeah who is in Year 5, and supports the system.

“Particularly with this school, there’s a really strong community focus and there’s a strong engagement with parents and families,” she said.

“We’re kept involved and we know what’s happening.”

Lynette McCorquodale with daughter Leeah, 9, outside Ascot State School. (AAP Image/Claudia Baxter)

Parents, grandparents and even non-family members are being urged to volunteer to read to children at schools to improve literacy.

But the $1.5 million plan will see 3000 volunteers forced to have training and to obtain working with children blue cards.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the three-year program would help boost reading levels among children and lift NAPLAN scores.