April 2012

Independent Public Schools

In February, the QTU distributed a Members’ Newsflash about school autonomy and the QTU's position on the LNP’s Independent Public Schools policy. 

Following the LNP's recent election victory, the Union is currently trying to get further details about this policy as, if the troubled introduction of Independent Public Schools in Western Australia is anything to go by, we  can expect major problems if a similar scheme is introduced in Queensland.

However, the QTU does believe that there could be room for negotiation, as long as the new government shows good faith and makes some changes to its original proposal.

There are two critical issues for the QTU and its members.

1. The QTU cannot support giving principals the right to “hire and fire” teachers, and after many conversations with principal members and principal associations across the state, the QTU believes that Queensland principals don't want this burden. 
   
   In the Union’s experience, what principals want is a greater say in the appointment of teachers, to ensure that the needs of their school and their students are met. If principals do have this unwanted responsibility forced upon them, there are grave doubts about the viability of the relocation and transfer systems.   
   
   
2. The QTU has major concerns around the future implications for schools of “one-line budgets”.   One-line budgets will burden state school principals with a great deal more responsibility for administrative and management tasks, with very little in the way of resourcing to offset these burdens.  Principals have to cut costs in one area, including those incurred by employing more experienced teachers, to cover expenses in others.
   
   The Curtin Report on Western Australia's Independent Public Schools concluded that “financial inducements to move to self-managed status rapidly disappear, reinforcing existing inequality within and between schools”.

We have a number of key questions that need to be answered. Once we have more information from the government, we will be able to develop a consultation process to get feedback from all our members.

As the Independent Public Schools proposal is so critical, in the second week of term 2 we will be holding a series of principal forums throughout the state, providing you with an opportunity to discuss the issue with your colleagues.  We will provide details as soon as we can.

Graham Moloney
QTU General Secretary