A significant drop in primary class sizes in all years and a planned overhaul of the Department of Education, Employment and Training were big news in the past week. Figures released on Monday showed that Victorian primary schools have an average class size of 24, the lowest since 1992. The size of an average prep class had also dropped to 21.1 students, down from 23.2 in 1999. From prep to year 2, the average class size dropped to 22.4, and Education Minister Mary Delahunty said the State Government was on track to meet its target of reducing the average to 21 by 2003.
Teachers can do a whole lot more with fewer younger ones in their class.
It gives the opportunity for individual attention and social interaction. Ms Delahunty said the smaller class sizes were paying dividends in the form of improved reading in years 3 and 5. The other big announcement of the week was a restructuring of the Department of Education, Employment and Training after an internal review criticised its performance. It also found there was little appreciation in the department of the critical need to understand and deliver to clients, most particularly students. There will be four main offices, including a new Office of Portfolio to ensure integrated and timely policy advice, and a Performance Review and Evaluation division to ensure accountability.