Preppies in three state schools in Burnett are set to benefit from an additional fifty five Prep teacher aide hours each week in 2015.
I welcome the announcement of the Newman Government’s 54 million four-year Boosting Prep for our children’s future commitment.
The Newman Government has a strong plan for a brighter future for our youngest Queenslanders and by funding more teacher aide hours we are ensuring children have extra support to develop learning and social skills at an early age.
The early years of school set the foundation for life-long learning and success, which is why the Government believes it’s vital to invest significantly in this area.
Teacher aides play a critical role in Prep classrooms and I welcome this move on behalf of our youngest learners.
Burnett schools were among the 127 state schools across Queensland to benefit, sharing in 2,250 additional Prep teacher aide hours per week next year.
Children in five Prep classes will have greater access to teacher aides, which will help ensure improved outcomes and smooth transitions from study to training and work, all the way from crayon to career.
Principal of Bargara State School, Mr Chris Norris said the funding was very welcome.
“The additional support is greatly welcomed. In the prep early learning years, it’s so important to get kids off on the right foot”, he said.
The $54 million four-year plan had already provided significant benefits to Queensland children.
In 2013, the first year of the initiative, 152 Prep classes in more than 100 schools benefitted from additional teacher aide hours.
This year another 2,250 hours per week were allocated to 384 Prep classes in 69 schools.
Prep students across Queensland are already benefitting from the additional support available each day, and we’re ensuring this benefit continues throughout 2015 as well.
Schools with the greatest need have been selected for funding, with final allocations for each school to be determined by Prep enrolments at the start of the 2015 school year.
To find out more about the Boosting Prep for our children’s future commitment, go to www.education.qld.gov.au/boosting-prep.html