Page 2843 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
How will our investment in education do this? Our investment in education is in new and refurbished classrooms, libraries, gyms and school halls, to improve our students’ educational experience. It will make sure our students are workplace-ready and learn the latest and most important skills. And it will provide greater choice to parents, too. Our students will learn with the latest technology. New electronic whiteboards, new computers and flexible learning spaces will ready our students for the workplace.
We will invest $5.4 million to deliver the new Gungahlin college. Part of this funding will provide new information and communication technology infrastructure for the college. This funding will also enhance kitchen facilities so that Gungahlin students can complete certificate III courses through CIT. Specifically, a full commercial kitchen will be installed and a walk-in fridge and a dining room will ensure that our students are some of the best trained hospitality staff in Australia. The Gungahlin college performing arts centre will also be available for community use, thanks to enhancements to the stage and lighting design. I very much look forward to seeing many wonderful plays and musicals in the performing arts centre.
Integrating sustainability into classrooms and libraries will teach our students about the value of our environment and the importance of water and energy efficiency. Four million dollars worth of solar panels and water tanks in schools will ensure that students learn in sustainable schools. It will ready our children for an economy where sustainability and its auditing are integral to business.
We are also constructing new schools in the outer suburbs. We will invest $43.5 million to construct Harrison high school. The new school will service the expanding communities of Harrison, Franklin, Forde and Gungahlin. The high school will open in 2012 and provide a state-of-the-art facility for the local community. The master plan for Harrison high school reflects our commitment to an average class size of 21 students in primary and high schools. The new project will include classrooms, specialist teaching areas, a gymnasium, external play areas, performing arts facilities and new furniture and equipment. Almost $1 million will be invested in our gifted and talented students through the in pursuit of excellence program.
With more transparent reporting of school results, we will be able to see how our brightest students are tracking. This government wants them to be reaching their full potential, to be extending themselves in school. We have no need to be concerned about improvements to transparency and accountability in schools. The ACT has a good story to tell, and we should be telling it.
The 2008 NAPLAN results show that the ACT is performing well on the national and international stage. As Minister Barr has said, we can always do better, try harder and achieve more, but we are doing well. With greater transparency and accountability, we can help our students to reach their full potential, and that should always be our aim.
Debate interrupted in accordance with standing order 74 and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour.
Sitting suspended from 12.29 to 2 pm.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .