ANDREW Barr says a re-elected ACT Labor government will build new and expanded schools to make education for children in our growing suburbs even better as part of a package of measures focusing on the future of education in the ACT.

“ACT Labor will invest in education from preschool to tertiary studies, as part of our commitment to increase opportunity and safeguard quality and excellence in education,” Andrew said.

“An ACT Labor government will always ensure our education sector has the funding and facilities it needs. We will build a new P-10 School in Molonglo, invest in new schools and expanded capacity in Gungahlin and start planning for schools in the new west Belconnen community of Ginninderry. We will also invest in research and consultation to ensure we continue we have the latest and most effective teaching methods in our schools.

“This package will ensure that the families in our growing suburbs of Molonglo and Gungahlin will have continuing access to excellent public education in their local area. With strong population growth in these regions it is clear to see why new schools are needed. ACT Labor wants our kids to have the best quality education in every part of Canberra so it’s vital to plan ahead as our population grows by 5000 people a year.”

ACT Labor will:

• Build a new P-10 School in Molonglo delivered in two stages P-6 (2020) then 7-10 (2022)
• Increase the capacity of Gold Creek senior school and Franklin early childhood school in consultation with the community
• Accelerate feasibility and design work for a new school in growth areas of Gungahlin
• Begin early planning for schools in the new West Belconnen community of Ginninderry

“We will commission a discussion paper to ensure we continue make our education system even better,” Andrew said.

“This paper will outline how education will be delivered to meet the needs of the next generation of ACT students and will be modelled on similar work in Victoria. This paper will have the broadest possible consultation with stakeholders and will have specific focus on:

• How technology, data and student records – including NAPLAN – can be used in real-time by teachers to improve students outcomes
• How different teaching approaches can be used to teach different cohorts of students
• How different student demographics, abilities and influences impact on the academic results of students

“ACT Labor will also commission a project to investigate the effectiveness of alternative teaching methods in ACT Schools. The project will employ a project officer to co-ordinate the project in up to four trial schools. The findings of this project will inform the outcome of the Future of Education discussion paper.”