Independent public school system at ‘risk’

The SSTUWA president Pat Byrne said work which was carried out centrally was now down and that the school and principals spent more time dong administrative work rather than professional work.

Ms Byrne said staff selection processes required additional hours for teachers and principals to read, assess, interview, etc.

“All this takes away from planning and preparation time for student work,” she said. 

“Contracts need to be negotiated with a large number of providers – these are no longer done centrally and while people like the sense of control they have in doing this, they also say that the work is intensive.”

Ms Byrne said IPS could be improved by a sensible mix of central and local decision making and that a central template would ensure a reduction in workload for people in schools. 

West Busselton Primary School board member Naomi Davey said the benefit of being an independent public school was the flexibility to be responsive and adaptable to the student’s needs.

Ms Davey said the school board was given the opportunity to review objectives, priorities and policy directions while promoting the school to the community.

“The independent public school system includes those who are best placed to make decisions about the running of the school, including parents and the broader community,” she said.

Vasse MP Libby Mettam said all of the public schools in the Vasse electorate were now independent, and were enjoying the benefits of the increased autonomy the IPS model offered.

“WA is the only state where enrolments at public schools are growing faster than at private schools, and this rapid expansion shows that the community likes what they are seeing,” she said.

Ms Mettam said a re-elected Liberal Government would allow schools to manage improvement projects up to $100,000 which were non-structural and low risk.

Have your say: Is the IPS system better or worse for students and the school community? Email emma.kirk@fairfaxmedia.com.au.