Growth continues in ACT public schools

ACT public schools have recorded strong growth in the number of enrolments for the second consecutive year, with a large increase in enrolments in the new Early Childhood Schools the 2010 ACT School Census reveals.

There are now 38,853 students enrolled in ACT public schools, up 573 students on 2009.

The 2010 ACT School Census shows strong enrolment growth at our four new Early Childhood Schools. There are a total of 419 students enrolled at Narrabundah, Lyons, Isabella Plains and the Southern Cross Early Childhood School. This is up by 171 or 69 per cent on 2009.This shows that ACT Labor’s focus on the earliest years of education is meeting the needs of Canberra families and helping to ensure every young Canberran gets the best possible start to reach their full potential.

Public high school enrolments have increased by 68 students since last year with 9,722 students enrolled in public high schools.

This is the first increase in the public high school sector in more than five years.

College and Primary enrolments have also enjoyed increases. The fact that Canberrans are turning back to public schools shows they overwhelmingly support the successful reforms Labor made to public education in 2006.

The ACT Government is investing $496 million to upgrade every public school and build state of the art schools where they are needed most.

Students are now benefitting from updated classrooms, new performing arts centres and gyms, and increased access to the latest computer and information technology.

New schools such as Gungahlin College, Kambah P-10 School and Harrison Secondary School are all under construction and will also feature the latest environmentally friendly designs.

We are also working hard to improve outcomes for Indigenous students and attract more Indigenous teachers and teacher’s assistants into the system. This work is paying off with an increase of 126 Indigenous students in our public schools.

ACT Labor will continue to work to ensure every ACT school is a great school.