Page 1620 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 March 2012
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4) Any work to implement further collaboration will involve representatives of UC, CIT and Government.
5) The concept of further collaboration between UC and CIT is the product of significant community consultation and ongoing work between the two institutions. Government is continuing to work with both institutions to determine the way forward in light of Commonwealth initiatives in both the VET and Higher Education sectors.
6) There is already a reference before the Standing Committee on Education, Training and Youth Affairs.
Education—school libraries
(Question No 2038)
Ms Hunter asked the Minister for Education and Training, upon notice, on 22 February 2012:
(1) In this National Year of Reading, what strategies has/will the Government put into place to ensure students have the advantage of a qualified teacher librarian in every school, such as increased funding and scholarships for teacher librarian tertiary training.
(2) Is the Government aware of the link between improved literacy and well-funded and professionally staffed school libraries.
(3) How many government schools do not have dual-trained teacher librarians in charge of their libraries.
4) How many government primary and secondary primary schools do not have centralised school libraries.
Dr Bourke: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
1) All teachers in ACT public schools can apply for a scholarship to increase their professional capabilities, including in teacher librarianship.
The Directorate has offered partial financial assistance to teachers enrolled in teacher librarianship courses. Since 2005 seven teachers have received funding through the scholarship program to support their participation in teacher librarianship courses.
Decisions around the allocation of staffing resources are a matter for each school and its board.
2) The ACT Government has a strong focus on improving literacy in schools, and has a range of programs in place founded on a strong evidence base which target these skills. A key to improving literacy is the shared responsibility of all teachers to promote and facilitate the development of the literacy of their students.
3) The 2012 school staffing returns will not be finalised until the end of term 1, 2012. At the start of the 2011 school year all colleges and all high schools, except one, had an identified teacher-librarian. The remaining high school library was staffed with a dedicated administrative assistant supported by a classroom teacher at designated times
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