School Governance

In reply to Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (21 February 2017).

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for Higher Education and Skills): I have been advised:

The implementation of the Hon Bronwyn Pike's Review of Government School and Preschool Governance in South Australia is progressing, with completion of all recommendations due in July 2017.

To date, five recommendations have been implemented. These recommendations were prioritised by the department for immediate action due to the impact they have on governing councils, these include the:

employment of a dedicated Governance Adviser to provide direct support for governing councils and a central point in the department for governance matters (recommendation 4)

development of a governing council portal—the portal is a 'one stop shop' for governance that contains information on the roles and responsibilities of council and councillors, employer details and information on how to work with committees (recommendation 1)

delivery of face to face training during 2016, which was delivered to over 154 preschools and schools, with approximately 540 people attending. (recommendation 2).

delivery of Parents in Education Week in 2015 and 2016 (recommendation 5)

provision of model contracts for governing council employees (recommendation 14).

The remaining recommendations relate to system reform and policy development, with a focus on meeting local needs. New policies and procedures are currently being drafted to reflect this approach to governance (recommendations 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13), and where appropriate will be embedded in the new Education and Children Service Act. This is due for completion in July 2017.