Qld sentiment survey: Record opposition to four-day school week
An exclusive Courier-Mail poll of Queenslanders has given the clearest indication yet on flexible school hours. FULL RESULTS
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Queensland parents are more opposed to the idea of a condensed four-day school week than ever before, with almost 90 per cent voting against it in an exclusive new poll.
The Department of Education released guidelines in November outlining how state schools can switch to a shortened timetable if they wish. These will take effect from Term 1 this year.
The immediate reaction from The Courier-Mail readers was one of scepticism, but some were open to the idea. The full details of the Department’s policy can be read here.
The Courier-Mail reader poll in November asking parents whether they would like more flexible school hours produced 7350 responses – 76 per cent did not support the idea, 18 per cent did, and the remaining six per cent were undecided.
The new sentiment survey found nearly 90 per cent of the 6800 respondents do not agree with the four-day school week – 88 per cent disagreed, 12 per cent were open to it.
Independent school Wisdom College – in Calamvale in Brisbane’s south and home to 450 students from Prep to Year 12 – implemented a new flexible schedule in Term 4, 2023.
Principal Damien Barry was surprised by how one-sided the exclusive sentiment survey results were, but also understood parents concerns.
“If something like this is not communicated well, parents will have negative view,” he said.
“They will be asking who is monitoring their kids on the day they’re not at school? Who is checking they’re not falling behind? Are they still covering the key aspects of the curriculum?
“But we believe our timetable gives our kids greater flexibility and helps to develop their independent learning skills for the future.”
Mr Barry said the College’s alternative timetable would continue this year.
“The feedback and results indicate it is worthwhile and useful,” he said.
“Every Wednesday we have Year 11 and 12 students either at home studying, studying at TAFE, working, or on work experience placements.
“There was some pushback and queries at the start of the six-month consultation process we did. But whenever there is change, it will get people anxious.”
Education Minister Di Farmer said the November update to the Department’s ‘Making changes to school hours’ policy did not give schools a green light to implement a four-day week.
“Queensland state schools will continue to operate for five days a week,” she said.
“The (policy) updates were to make sure that any school proposing to make a change to school hours undertakes significant consultation with parents, staff, students, and other key stakeholders before approval for the change to school hours is considered by the Department.
“By updating the procedure we are making sure that there is a consistent approach and strong community consultation when schools are contemplating changes to school hours.”
However, Opposition education spokesman Christian Rowan slammed the state government’s four-day-week policy as a kneejerk reaction.
Dr Rowan did not commit to scrapping the four-day-week policy if the LNP won the October election. However, he said he would “carefully consider class time schedules by working with parents, teachers and school administrators”.
“The announcement of a four-day school week was done without comprehensive consultation and engagement with parents, teachers, and other important stakeholders,” Dr Rowan claimed.
“The Labor government’s four-day school week was a cheap announcement to deal with its own teacher workforce crisis.
“It is inconceivable the Labor government could make wide-ranging changes such as these without significant consultation around the impacts.”
Queensland Secondary Principals Association president Mark Breckenridge believes there has been some confusion around the four-day school week policy.
“If schools are considering a four-day week, this policy ensures any misunderstandings can be cleared up. It outlines consultation and approvals to ensure everyone has their say,” he said.
“There are dozens of schools across the state who already have an amended program. Schools do these non-traditional schedules for senior students to access TAFE courses, others do it to alleviate transport issues, other schools amend their times to maximise facility use.”
Mr Breckenridge said the November policy had not deterred those schools already considering adopting a condensed school timetable this year. These include Corinda State High School, and the Queensland Academies Creative Industries Campus within QUT Kelvin Grove.
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