A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will re-engage students with the education system by providing them with opportunities to gain entry into training or workforce pathways.
LNP Shadow Education Minister Tracy Davis said an LNP Government would work in partnership with the Changemakers Project, run by Bundaberg State Highschool, to deliver an alternative education program.
“We know that education is critical to a job and a secure home environment, which is why an LNP Government will create an alternative education program to re-engage high risk youth in the education system,” Ms Davis said.
“Often when at-risk teenagers are suspended, they become disengaged and stop attending school.
“Our investment of $1.05 million is aimed at getting kids and their families re-engaged in the school community and education by ensuring they have access to support that helps prevent the likelihood of re-offending.
“The Changemakers Project will also work with a number of support services including Queensland Police Services, Youth Justice and Department of Communities to create an all-inclusive ‘wrap around’ school for children.”
LNP Candidate for Bundaberg David Batt, a former student of Bundaberg State High School and manager of Bundaberg PCYC, said Bundaberg’s youth unemployment rate was now the second-worst in Queensland.
“We need to take serious action to combat joblessness and get kids back in school,” Mr Batt said.
“Changemakers will address root cause issues of young people disengaging, such as drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence and other family instabilities and poverty.”
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said the announcement was part of the LNP’s plan to get kids off the streets, through the school gates and into classrooms.
“An LNP Government will Build a Better Queensland by boosting education and training opportunities to ensure all Queenslanders have the best opportunity to get ahead,” Mr Bennett said.
“We know that in regional areas like Burnett students are less likely to complete year 12 than they are in metropolitan areas.”
Bundaberg State High School P&C Treasurer Tricia Garson welcomed the LNP’s announcement.
“We have been working towards developing a program that empowers our youth, because recent studies show 26 per cent of students think what they are learning at school is irrelevant to life,” Mrs Garson said.
“Not all children are academic or learn the same way and we need to give them the tools and life skills to enter the workforce when they leave school and become adults.”
ENDS.
16 November 2017