435. Hon Alison Xamon to the Minister for Education and Training:
I refer to the cessation of the administrative grant to independent public schools, and I ask:
(a) does the Government intend for more schools to become Independent Public Schools;
(b) if yes to (a), how many;
(c) if yes to (a), will these schools be provided funding to assist in the transition to becoming independent; and
(d) if yes to (c), how much?
Hon Sue Ellery replied:
(a) Yes. The State Government supports the Independent Public School (IPS) initiative. Currently, there are 524 IPS in WA and 261 public schools that are not IPS. Now that all schools have increased autonomy and one-line budgets, from 2018 IPS will no longer receive the administration grant. These funds will be reinvested into other areas in schools, including additional education assistants and teachers to directly support student learning and care. This was the fair and equitable thing to do.
(b)–(d) I have sought advice regarding a development program for 2018 for interested school communities to commence as IPS in 2019.