Carolyn Male MP, State Member for Pine Rivers, would like to inform Pine Rivers residents that they have an opportunity to shape the future of Queensland’s education system.

“A forum will be held at Pine Rivers State High School Auditorium (entry via Gympie Road) on 22 March from 6pm-8pm and everyone is invited to attend to have their say on the new Education discussion paper, A Flying Start for Queensland Children, which is about the future of education in Queensland,” Carolyn Male MP said.

“The Education discussion paper outlines proposals in a number of areas including:

1.Improving children’s development, wellbeing and school readiness
- A campaign to encourage families to read to their children
- New school literacy program enlisting an army of volunteer QLD Ready Readers

2.Getting a ‘Flying Start’ to Secondary School
- Investment in teacher training and new education infrastructure
- Moving year 7 to secondary school

3.Boosting performance in all schools
- Review of teacher training courses provided by universities
- Increasing support for training teachers during school placements
- A new single independent education authority and inspectors to monitor school standards

“Education is a partnership of parents, teachers, the community and government - they have the right to say how our children are educated.”

“The Queensland Government has already lifted Queensland education by introducing a prep year and undertaking one of the biggest education infrastructure programs ever seen.”

Carolyn Male MP said the Green Paper reflected the Queensland Government’s Toward Q2 Smart goals for 2020 - that all children would have access to a quality early childhood education.

Queenslanders have until 30 June 2010 to contribute to the discussion paper via email, post or at the Forum.

For more information or for a copy of the information paper please call my office on 3205 6779 or email pine.rivers@parliament.qld.gov.au.