Queensland school enrolments are predicted to increase again this year as the state’s population continues to grow, State Member for Pine Rivers, Carolyn Male MP said.

Carolyn Male MP said departmental forecasts showed yet another year of strong enrolment growth in Queensland with 729,000 students expected to enrol in our state, Catholic and independent schools in 2010.

“Queensland’s population is increasing each year and that growth is reflected in the student enrolment figures forecast for 2010,” Carolyn Male MP said.

“We are expecting about 487,000 students to enrol in Queensland’s state schools next year, including primary, secondary and special schools.”

“In the North Coast school region, which includes the electorate of Pine Rivers, there are 103 600 students projected to enrol in school.”

“A further 242,000 students are expected to enrol in Queensland’s Catholic and independent schools.”

Carolyn Male MP said Year 1 enrolments were expected to reach 57,000 in 2010, including greater than 40,000 Year 1 students at state schools and around 17,000 at non-state schools.

“2010 is the third full intake of Prep students and enrolments are expected to be similar to Year 1 at about 57,000 students, including 40,000 in state schools and almost 17,000 in non-state schools,” Carolyn Male MP said.

“There are expected to be 8050 prep students enrolling in the North Coast region.”

“Year 8 enrolments are expected to reach 59,000 with more than 36,000 in state schools and almost 23,000 in non-state schools.”

“The department is also forecasting enrolments of about 3000 for our state special schools.”

Carolyn Male MP said the State Government had been investing heavily in Prep to give Queensland children the best start to their education.

“The State Government is committed to delivering a world-class education system for all Queenslanders,” Carolyn Male MP said.