Ministerial Statement

SCHOOL AMALGAMATIONS

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Education and Child Development) (14:03): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: The house would be well aware of the state government's decision announced as part of the 2010-11 state budget to amalgamate 48 co-located junior primary and primary schools on 24 sites. I now wish to advise the house that I have determined that these amalgamations will proceed following—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —following an extensive review process that has occurred over a number of months.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr Pederick: What was the point?

The SPEAKER: Member for Hammond, behave.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: My decision means that these amalgamating schools will now be funded in the same way as the 339 other reception to year 7 primary schools. Of the 48 schools identified, six of these located on three sites voted in favour of the amalgamation. Therefore, in accordance with the Education Act, a number of review committees were formed to review the proposed amalgamations of the remaining 42 co-located schools. Subsequently, two of these review reports recommended amalgamation and 19 recommended against amalgamation.

Ms Chapman: 19 to two!

The SPEAKER: Order, the member for Bragg!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: I advise the house that the requirements of the Education Act regarding consultation with the governing council, teachers, parents and the broader school community were met. I have considered the review reports—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Minister, could you sit down. This is an important issue for a number of members here and I would like to be able to hear what the minister says. You will listen to the minister in silence. Minister, thank you.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: I have considered the review reports and have had the opportunity to visit most of the schools to listen to school leaders, staff and parents in these school communities. I have come to the decision that all 42 schools that undertook the review process will be amalgamated.

These co-located schools already operate effectively as one school with, for example, a single governing council, one site improvement plan, one annual report, a single administration area and school uniforms, etc. I therefore advise the house of this decision—

Mr Pederick: It's about taking money away.

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —in accordance with the Education Act, which states that:

If the Minister makes a decision that...schools should be amalgamated contrary to the recommendations of a committee, the Minister must, within three sitting days of giving notice...cause a copy of the committee's report and recommendations and a statement of the reasons for the Minister's decision to be laid before each House of Parliament.

In accordance with requirements, I present before the house a copy of each of the review committee reports and also my reasons for proceeding with the decision. As the schools move to these new arrangements, an investment of $27.3 million will be made available to assist and improve these schools through this time of transition. I have also listened to the concerns of members of these school communities and acknowledge the need for support as the schools formalise—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —this transition to one school from 1 January 2013. As part of that investment, I have decided to provide a one-off grant of $100,000 to each of the newly combined schools. I also make it—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —quite clear that the decision will mean that students and staff will still continue to teach and learn at the same locations while students progress through their reception to year 7 years. I am confident that these schools will build on what they are already achieving together to support their students and be better able to plan—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Morialta, order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —for the whole of the students' learning and development over their primary school years. I also want to place on record my sincere appreciation to the many principals, teachers and parents of these school communities for their commitment to excellence in education. At the same time—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —I reaffirm the state Labor government's longstanding commitment to investing in education—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —an investment which included the extra $203 million for education in the 2010-11 budget in which this announcement was made. In closing, bringing together these schools as a reception to year 7 school will remove what I consider to be this inequitable funding arrangement so that they are funded like other comparable schools which also offer quality teaching and learning for our South Australian children.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!