Queensland Government secures funding for travelling school for show children

The children of show families will continue to have their own travelling school thanks to a $400,000 investment from the Queensland Government.

Visiting the Ekka today (10th August), Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Education Minister Kate Jones met children of show families and went on to announce funding for the former Queensland School for Travelling Show Children (QSTSC).

The previous Queensland Government had ended Education Queensland's backing for the QSTSC in 2012, leading to the near closure of the travelling school.

However, this year has seen the QSTSC replacement, the National School for Travelling Show Children (NSTSC) gain $200,000 from the Federal budget.

Commenting on the new funding, Premier Palaszczuk stated "this school is a vital resource for travelling families who bring show attractions to our towns and cities.

“The new funding arrangements agreed between Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and the Commonwealth will see each state contribute to the cost of the school on a per student basis, with a federal government contribution as well.

“It’s important for travelling families that we continue to fund this school that is well established, well liked and valued in the show community.”

Minister Jones said Labor committed to restore funding after the QSTSC was shut down by the previous Government, adding "transition arrangements put in place for winding up the school saw it continue to operate in the interim as the National School for Travelling Show Children.

“Today’s announcement guarantees the future of the school to at least the end of 2016, providing immediate certainty for families.

“We are determined that all Queensland children will have access to a quality education, regardless of where they live.

“One of the big challenges for the families working in the show circuit is for their children to access education while they are on the road.

“The travelling school will provide a familiar and consistent learning environment for these students to have a great education.”

The QSTSC consists of two large mobile classrooms generally staffed by two teachers and an operations officer while a third classroom, a smaller Mercedes van driven by a teacher, caters for up to ten students.

The classrooms are mostly parked in the grounds of a local school in the town that is hosting the Show that week. The QSTSC students often access the facilities of the local school and to ensure they are provided with quality learning opportunities across the eight Learning Areas of the curriculum. 

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13th September 2012 - EDUCATION QUEENSLAND TO AXE TRAVELLING SCHOOL FOR SHOW CHILDREN