Hurdlles for out-of-area enrolments

A TRANSFER system like that used by professional sports clubs will be imposed on children going to schools outside their area.

A TRANSFER system similar to that used by professional sports clubs will be imposed on Tasmanian parents who want to send their children to schools outside their area.

A revised draft policy for "out of home area" enrolments, released late yesterday, imposes new hurdles on parents wishing to send their child to a school that is not the closest to their home.

Under the policy of the Labor-Greens government, such parents are not even allowed to discuss their choice of school with the "out of area" principal without first clearing it with the head of the school they have decided to by-pass.

Before being allowed to seek to send their child to a school out of their neighbourhood, they must demonstrate that their child's "educational needs cannot be met" at the local school.

Even where both principals are in agreement that an out-of-area enrolment should be accepted, the final decision will rest with a bureaucrat.

This same bureaucrat - the general manager of the local education service - also will receive appeals.

The Liberal opposition said last night the policy was insulting to parents, in conflict with the State Education Act and designed to force the closure of inner-city schools.

"Parents need to be given as much choice within the government system as possible, and they do not make decisions on school choice lightly," opposition education spokesman Michael Ferguson said.

"It's really not the place of (Education Minister) Nick McKim to be dictating where families can and cannot send their children to go to school."

He said the policy appeared to be an attempt by Mr McKim to deplete the enrolments of inner-city schools to force their closure. Many schools in Hobart and Launceston have a high proportion of out-of-area enrolments, with parents choosing schools close to their work or childcare, and those with good reputations.

These schools are on prime real estate and the Education Department previously has eyed their sale value and targeted several for closure.

Mr McKim, one of two Greens ministers in the cabinet, insisted the policy did not remove the right to "apply" to send a child to a school out of the area.

"These procedures in no way prevent parents from applying to schools elsewhere," he said.

"They simply provide a consistent approach for considering out-of-home-area requests."

Mr Ferguson accused Mr McKim of not releasing the draft policy and home area maps until 5pm to avoid media scrutiny.