Department of Education (Queensland) facts for kids
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| Formed | 10 September 1875 |
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| Jurisdiction | Queensland Government |
| Headquarters | 30 Mary Street, Brisbane, Australia |
| Ministers responsible |
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| Department executives |
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| Child department |
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| Website |
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The Department of Education is a government group in Queensland, Australia. It is part of the Queensland Government. This department makes sure that education in Queensland is good and well-managed. It looks after schools and learning for children and young people.
The department has two main parts. These are Education Queensland and Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). It also works with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority. This authority creates what students learn and how they are tested.
Contents
History of Education in Queensland
The story of education in Queensland began a long time ago.
How the Department Started
In 1875, a group called the Department of Public Instruction was created. Its goal was to give free, non-religious, and required education to all children in Queensland. This meant every child had to go to school.
In 1957, the name changed to the Department of Education. This is the name it still uses today.
Changes Over Time
Around 1990 and 1991, the Department of Education changed a lot. This happened after a report called Focus on Schools.
Later, in 2004, a new group was formed. It was called the Department of Education and the Arts. This group looked after both education and creative arts.
In 2006 and 2007, it changed again. It became the Department of Education, Training and the Arts (DETA).
Then, in 2008 and 2009, the government made more changes. DETA was replaced by the Department of Education and Training. This group then became the Department of Education we know today.
Plans for the Future
In October 2015, the leader of Queensland, Annastacia Palaszczuk, and the Minister for Education, Kate Jones, shared a new plan. It was called the Advancing education action plan.
This plan aimed to make education even better. It focused on working closely with families and communities. It also wanted to make teachers even better at their jobs. People in Queensland really liked this plan.
The main goals of the plan were:
- Making early learning better and easier to get for young children.
- Helping students get more excited about STEM subjects. These are Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths.
- Encouraging students to learn languages and understand the world better.
- Helping students continue their learning journey. This could be at universities, trade schools, or in jobs.
- Making sure students are good at reading, writing, and maths.
- Helping students feel good and stay healthy.
- Spending money to build and improve school buildings.
- Making teachers even better and having more teachers.
How the Department Works
The Department of Education has two main parts. These are Education Queensland and Early Childhood Education and Care. Each part has its own special jobs.
Overall, the department makes sure that state schools are well-run and provide good education. It also checks the quality of private schools in Queensland.
The main leader of the department is the Minister for Education. This person can tell schools what to do if it's for the public good. They can also ask schools to do tests. The Minister can also give out scholarships and money to help students.
The department is also guided by a management board. This board includes the Director-General and other important leaders.
Education Queensland
Education Queensland is sometimes just called 'Education'. This part of the department looks after primary and secondary schools. Primary schools are for younger kids, and secondary schools are for older kids.
Education Queensland also works with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority. This authority creates the learning plans and tests for students.
Early Childhood Education and Care
Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) looks after learning for very young children. This includes kindergartens and childcare centres.
ECEC makes sure that these services follow important rules. These rules are part of the National Quality Framework (NQF). The NQF helps make sure that all early learning services are high quality. ECEC also follows the Education and Care Services Act 2013. This law helps regulate services not covered by the NQF.
ECEC also helps fund early learning services. This money comes from different programs. For example, some money helps set up new kindergartens. Other money helps children with special needs. Some money helps with general early learning services.
School Fees in Queensland
Good news for students in Queensland! State schooling and kindergarten are free for most children. This includes Australian citizens and people who live here permanently. This is thanks to a law called the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006.
Even if you live in a far-off place, distance education is also free. This means you can learn from home.
Sometimes, for very special education, the state might not pay for everything. But the main leader of the department can sometimes make it free. If you are not eligible for free education, you might have to pay a fee.
Schools might ask parents for a small donation. This money helps the school with things like running costs or maintenance. But parents do not have to pay this money. Giving a donation or not does not change how a student is taught.
