Department of Education Annual Report 2007–08 Department of Education David Bartlett MP Premier of Tasmania Minister for Education and Skills Parliament House HOBART Tasmania 7000 Dear Minister In accordance with the requirements of section 36 of the Tasmanian State Service Act 2000 and section 27 of the Financial Management and Audit Act 1990, I am pleased to submit to you this report of the activities of the Department of Education for the financial year 2007–08. This year has been an exciting and challenging period for education, skills development and the Community Knowledge Network. Major initiatives include the ground-breaking post-Year 10 strategy—Tasmania Tomorrow. Our key focus has been on providing learners of all ages with quality educational opportunities, investing heavily in the early years, literacy and numeracy, student retention, training and lifelong learning. The Student at the Centre plan is now fully implemented and has successfully realised the government’s commitment to allocate more money through the school gate. Principals and school communities use their resources to focus on the needs of students and lead school improvement according to the needs of their schools. Following the Tasmanian Literacy Summit, schools have been supported to develop a literacy plan to ensure the individual learning needs of all students are understood and met as we strive to improve their literacy skills. We want fast results, but we also want them to be sustainable for the long-term. We are investing in teachers and schools to deliver ongoing improvements. As part of our commitment to the community and our promise of transparent reporting, we released Tasmania’s Education Performance Report 2007 – Government Schools in June 2008. This provides the Tasmanian community with valid and reliable information across a range of measures directly linked to the government’s priorities of the early years, literacy and numeracy, student retention, school improvement and equity. Over time, this will show the rate of improvement in our schools and the significant efforts that they are making. With the commencement of Skills Tasmania and the strategic developments of the Qualifications and Skills for Tasmania Tomorrow initiative, post-Year 10 education, and training and skills development have also been at the forefront of our actions. By reforming our education system now, we’ll build a framework for a stronger community, one with a more highly skilled workforce, ultimately delivering higher productivity and sustaining our quality lifestyle. Tasmania Tomorrow will help improve our retention rates beyond Year 10 by providing more options for our young people. The Community Knowledge Network strategy has brought together the services of the State Library of Tasmania, Archives Office of Tasmania, online access centres and Adult Education and continues to improve public access to information and community learning opportunities, whilst preserving historically important documents for the future. This year again we supported the local economy by encouraging Tasmanian businesses to compete for government contracts. A detailed account of contracts awarded is included in this report. Many positive contributions are being made across all parts of the department and this report highlights how we are endeavouring to meet the education, training and information needs of all Tasmanians. I would like to thank all those who have contributed to the work and initiatives this report describes. John Smyth Secretary October 2008 Contents About this Report 2 Required Reporting 34 Department at a Glance 3 Employment 35 Occupational Health and Safety 41 Strategic Focus 4 Public Access to the Department 41 Services 5 Legislation Administered, Enacted and Amended 43 Organisation 7 Statutory and Non-statutory Bodies 44 Clients 8 Other Annual Reports 46 Workforce 10 Tasmanian Library Advisory Board 46 Finances 13 State Library and Archives Trust 49 Facilities 13 Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts 51 Tasmanian Home Education Advisory Council 55 Direction 14 Schools Registration Board 59 Asset Management/Risk Management 62 Pre-compulsory and Climate Change 63 Compulsory Education 15 Pricing Policies/Administered Payments 64 Early Years 16 Loss and Damage/Debts Written Off 65 Direction 16 Major Capital Projects 66 Initiatives 16 Contracts and Tenders 68 Performance 17 Progress 18 Child Care 19 Financial Statements 77 Direction 19 Income Statement 78 Initiatives 19 Balance Sheet 79 Performance 19 Cash Flow Statement 80 Progress 20 Statement of Recognised Income and Expense 81 Literacy and Numeracy 21 Notes to the Financial Statements 82 Direction 21 Superannuation Certificate 122 Initiatives 21 Certification of Financial Statements 123 Performance 22 Auditor-General’s Report 124 Progress 25 Skills Development 26 Direction 26 Appendices 126 Initiatives 26 Other Performance Measures 127 Performance 28 Tasmania Together Benchmark Summary 129 Progress 28 Tasmania Together Activity Report 130 Community Knowledge Network 29 Abbreviations and Acronyms 144 Direction 29 Publications 145 Initiatives 29 Contact Details 146 Performance 30 Index 147 Progress 32 Photograph Acknowledgements 149 1 About this Report This report not only meets the department’s legislative reporting obligations, but also provides information for all Tasmanians with an interest in education, training and information services. The report provides an overview of the operations, major initiatives and performance of the department during the 2007–08 year. Information on the department’s activities and achievements that contributed to the successes of education, training and information services in Tasmania is included. The report also provides information on major activities contributing to the achievement of Tasmania Together benchmark targets. How the report is structured The report is presented in sections to meet the different information needs of a range of readers. 1 Department at a Glance 4 Financial Statements The introductory pages provide an overall picture This section provides the financial statements of the of the department: services, structure, clients, department for the 2007–08 financial year. workforce and finances. Feedback or enquiries regarding this report are welcome. They should be directed to Sharyn 2 Direction Lidster, Manager, Educational Performance Services This section highlights the achievements and at [email protected]. progress made towards the department’s This report, and further information, is available on strategic priorities. our website at www.education.tas.gov.au. 3 Required Reporting This section provides information on the financial, administrative and human resource management aspects of the department. 2 About this Report F Department at a Glance Strategic Focus The Department of Education’s activities are aimed Our intensive focus on literacy and numeracy at achieving a better future for all Tasmanians. The initiatives to increase student performance at all major strategic initiatives, Student at the Centre, stages of schooling, and the resources provided Qualifications and Skills for Tasmania Tomorrow, to assist schools develop and implement literacy and Community Knowledge Network guide plans, are already indicating improvement. With our Department of Education staff towards achieving commitment to maintain the provision of support the Tasmanian Government’s vision for education, and resources, we expect continued progress to training and information services. be made in student performance in literacy and numeracy. Tasmania’s future depends on information, knowledge, and connected and kind communities Retaining students in education after Year 10 is that embrace lifelong learning. We strive to provide a major focus of the department. In the past 12 months, we have developed the Tasmania Tomorrow quality learning opportunities for all Tasmanians at strategy ready for implementation in 2009. every stage of their life. Improving retention rates through this approach To achieve this, we focus on four strategic priorities: will have direct economic and social benefits for the state. The state government recognises the link • ensuring all children in their early years have between high standards of education and a strong every opportunity to arrive at school as a economy. We are creating educational organisations learner which focus on the needs of students and foster flexibility, innovation and holistic approaches. • improving the literacy and numeracy Tasmanian industry and business have worked performance of our students alongside us to ensure that employees of the • lifting the retention of our students to Year 12 future have the skills and qualifications to underpin or equivalent and skilling Tasmanians to meet the profitability and productivity. needs of enterprise and industry Improving access to academic and applied learning • building a knowledge-based society and forging pathways for youth and adults in regional and stronger links between information and rural Tasmania has been a focus of the work of community. the Community Knowledge Network this year. Developing partnerships with combined schools, These priorities are reflected in the organisation of local skill centres and other education providers our department where services are provided through has created stepping stones to employment. Adult the Early Years, Learning Services and schools, Skills literacy is a focus of the state government and Tasmania, and the Community