Western Australia has signed up to the Australian Government’s Independent Public Schools initiative.

The deal will see $8.05 million flow to schools to promote “greater responsibility and autonomy” among principals, teachers and the wider community.

The money will be put towards a leadership program for up to 441 WA Independent Public School principals and provide new professional development opportunities for school board members.

The funding “will also benefit WA Independent Public School communities by maximising the impact of school board accountability functions,” WA education minister Peter Collier said.

“WA Independent Public Schools will also benefit from new online professional development resources aimed at increasing the capacity of school boards,” he said.

Independent Public Schools remain in the government school system, and continue to receive assistance from state and territory governments.

Despite their sometimes region-specific or culture-specific leanings, they do not charge tuition fees to parents or have selective enrolments processes.

More details are available at the Government’s Independent Schools website.