Archived News for Education Sector Professionals
The Federal Government has announced it will allow schools in the ACT greater control over managing budgets and the recruitment of teachers under a joint initiative between the Federal and Territory governments.
The Federal Government will provide more than $1.3 million to the ACT Government to roll out our Empowering Local Schools initiative over the next two years.
As part of the initiative, eight schools in the ACT, to be announced in May, will receive a start-up grant of up to $50,000 to help implement initiatives that provide them with more autonomy.
Under the program:
- Each school will be given a direct budget, giving principals greater flexibility to allocate teaching and staff resources where they are needed most.
- Principals will be able to recruit and manage their own staff in most cases, rather than staff being centrally allocated to schools.
- Schools will be able to offer financial management training to principals, teachers and board members, allowing schools to improve their leadership skills.
Secure Schools Program expanded
The Federal Government has announced Preschools will now be eligible to apply for funding under the Secure Schools Program.
ACTU to take apprentice wages to Fair Work Australia
The ACTU has announced it will launch one of the biggest test cases in recent years by applying to Fair Work Australia to establish a new, fairer safety net for apprentices. It maintains that apprentice wages need to be urgently lifted to give young people a pathway to a secure job and to ensure Australia continues to have a skilled workforce.
Apprentices underpaid and under valued
Recent research by the University of Sydney has found that many trade apprentices are living on a wage that falls below the poverty line, with many wages barely higher than the unemployment benefit.
Survey shows school principals under pressure
A national survey conducted by researchers at Monash University’ Faculty of Education has shown that Australia's school principals work long hours and are more likely to experience physical violence than the general workforce.
Federal Government pushes for transport concessions for international students
The Federal Government has urged the New South Wales and Victorian Governments to ‘see sense’ and provide transport concessions for their international students.
Victoria announces China scholarships
The Victorian Government has announced a series of grants worth up to $10,000 to assist students complete a Chinese learning course in the Jiangsu province of China with the launch of the Hamer Scholarships program.
NSW honours top international students
The New South Wales Government has recognised fifty-four high achieving international students with an annual award presentation held at the NSW State Parliament House.
Federal Government releases education track record
The Federal Government has released new figures that show a 27 per cent increase in the number of student places at universities since 2007.
Government to protect international students from closures
The Federal Government has passed its Education Services for Overseas (ESOS) Bill 2011 through the Federal Parliament, which is designed to protect Australia’s international education sector from possible education provider closures.
Tasmania releases Skills Strategy Report Card
The Tasmanian Government has released the latest Tasmanian Skills Strategy Report Card, which measures and reports on the progress of the implementation of the strategy.
NCVER releases apprentice and trainee statistics
The National Centre for Vocational Education Research has released the Australian apprentice and trainee statistics for the September quarter 2011.
SA push to make TAFE SA a statutory authority
The South Australian Government has released draft legislation for public consultation that will see the state's TAFE body, TAFE SA, become a statutory body.
Report casts doubt on 'high stakes' testing
A new report, released by the Whitlam Institute within the University of Western Sydney, canvasses the existing research on ‘high stakes’ testing. It finds that despite ‘high stakes’ testing of Australian primary and high school students becoming more and more entrenched, there are serious concerns internationally about the impact the tests have on students.
SA announces new training program
The South Australian Government has launched a skills program whereby employers from industries with skills shortages in jobs deemed critical to the state’s future growth may apply for funding of up to 90 per cent of the cost of training.
Call for nominations for outstanding teaching awards
The Minister for School Education Peter Garrett has announced the opening of nominations for the 2012 Australian Awards for Outstanding Teaching and School Leadership, recognising the top performing teachers and school leaders across the country.
Victoria announces Indian higher education partnerships
The Victorian Government has announced seven new global partnerships aimed at driving collaborative research and development within the higher education sector.
Gonski review released to mixed reception
The Federal Government released the Gonski review into school funding in the country, which finds that a comprehensive overhaul of funding is required to deliver the best results for students.
Automotive training and research centre launched in Melbourne
Kangan Institute's Automotive Centre of Excellence in the Docklands, Victoria, has been launched as the largest and most advanced automotive training and research facility in the southern hemisphere following the completion of the $84 million Stage 2 of the training facility.
Government outlines more research funding for universities
The Federal Government has announced improved indexation arrangements that will inject an extra $367 million over the next four years to assist universities meet the cost of research and training.
SACE evaluation panel announced
The membership of the independent panel that will evaluate the first full year of the new South Australian Certificate of Education has been announced.