The Australian Secondary Principals’ Association (ASPA) has welcomed a new bilateral agreement between the Tasmanian and Commonwealth Governments, bringing forward the timeline for increased funding toward 100 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) for Tasmanian public schools to 2026.
ASPA said the accelerated timeline is a positive step towards ensuring equitable resourcing and will enable quicker implementation of vital programs and strategies.
“This agreement is essential for supporting disadvantaged students, a key focus for ASPA. Equitable resourcing is fundamental to closing the achievement gap and providing all students with the opportunity to succeed,” it said.
The association said several promising initiatives outlined in the agreement should enhance student engagement, a critical factor in learning and wellbeing: strengthening connections between schools and non-school services, implementing structured wellbeing initiatives including increased mental health support, improving school attendance through whole-school approaches, and developing contemporary, evidence-based learning approaches.
“These initiatives build upon some efforts already underway in Tasmania, such as the Lifting Literacy plan, and provide the resources needed to scale and refine these efforts,” ASPA said.
It said the intent to develop a shared definition of educational success for young people is a “very positive development” and it looks forward to contributing to this important conversation.
“We are also keen to see how the outcomes of Tasmania’s Independent Education Review can further enhance these initiatives.”
ASPA emphasises the need for principal involvement in the design and implementation of these strategies. It said principals possess invaluable insights into the specific needs of their school communities and should play a crucial role in ensuring the success of these reforms. A measured and steady approach to implementation, with careful consideration of school workload, will be essential for long-term success.
While ASPA welcomes the increased funding commitment, it seeks clarification on aspects of how Tasmania’s contribution is measured.
“The ability to deduct depreciation costs raises concerns about the potential impact on achieving the 100 per cent SRS target for Tasmanian public schools. We note that the agreement allows the Tasmanian Government a discretionary opportunity to ensure the full 100 per cent SRS funding goes directly where it is most needed, and encourage them to cover the four per cent shortfall through additional funding,” ASPA said.
“We will also seek clarification on how costs for the Office of Tasmanian Assessment, Standards and Certification and the Tasmanian Teachers Registration Board will impact SRS funding for public schools and what portion of those costs are met by funding targeted to Catholic and independent schools.”
ASPA is committed to working with both governments and school communities to ensure these initiatives lead to meaningful improvements for all Tasmanian students. It will continue to advocate for transparent and equitable funding practices that support a high-quality education system.
