“That ICPA Qld lobbies the Department of Education to collect Day 20 enrolment numbers for both Semester One and Semester Two to address the unfair disparity in funding and staffing at Schools of Distance Education (SDEs), which often leads to significant imbalances in resources and staff allocations.”
Under the current system, school funding for SDEs is based on Day 20 enrolment numbers, which includes staffing allocations. However, this single count for funding and staffing purposes does not account for students who may change schools throughout the year. This is particularly problematic for families in rural and remote areas, who may need to transfer their children between schools due to families moving properties, seasonal work, or other unique circumstances.
Such transfers often happen between rural, regional, and metropolitan schools, including Schools of Distance Education, which results in inaccurate funding and staffing numbers. This leads to financial strain on the institutions, as they are forced to manage with inadequate staffing and resources for a fluctuating student population.
The collection of Day 20 enrolment numbers for both semesters will allow for more accurate and equitable funding and staffing allocation at SDEs. This will help ensure that schools in rural and remote areas are better equipped to meet the needs of their students, particularly those who may transfer mid-year, and alleviate the financial and operational strain on these institutions.
Case Study
At Mt Isa School of the Air in 2024, Day 20 enrolment numbers for Semester One were 144 students. However, by Semester Two, the numbers increased to 189 students, an increase of 45 students, or approximately a 31% increase in enrolment. To properly staff the school for this increase, an additional 1.5 teachers would be required, yet this increase in student numbers does not correspond with an adequate funding or staffing adjustment due to the current Day 20 counting method.
