Department of Education (Queensland)

In 1875, the Department of Public Instruction was created, providing free, secular and compulsory education to all Queensland children. Broadly, the plan focuses on: • improving the quality and accessibility of early childhood • increasing participation and passion for STEM subjects and globally-orientated courses such as languages • ongoing education pathways to universities, vocational education providers, and industry • lifting literacy and numeracy standards • improving student wellbeing • heavy investments in education infrastructure • improving the standard of teachers and increasing teacher numbers ==Structure and responsibilities==

The Department of Education is formed from two separate portfolios, Education Queensland and Early Childhood Education and Care, each with separate responsibilities. Broadly, the department is responsible for the administration and quality of state education, and the quality of private education, throughout Queensland. Currently, the director-general is Tony Cook, and the minister for education is Grace Grace. The department is governed by its management board, composed of the director-general, the assistant director-general, all deputy director-generals, and the executive director. The NQF stipulates the federal funding and quality of most education and care service providers, and is formed from national law and regulation, and the National Quality Standard. The ECS Act regulates providers and services not covered by the NQF, with the state government funding these services. Early Childhood Education and Care, as part of their administration of the NQF and ECS Act, provide funding to education and care providers. ==State education fees==

Under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006, the cost of state schooling and kindergarten is met by the state for all Australian citizens and permanent residents, and their children. This includes distance education, if living in a remote community. Specialised education is not fully funded by the state government, but the cost may be waived by the chief executive. For those not eligible for state-covered education, the chief executive may issue a charge for education services. The principal of any state school may ask the parent of a student, or the student for adult learners, to make a voluntary contribution towards the administration and maintenance of the school, however there is no requirement for parents to pay, and donations make no difference in the provision of education for a student. ==See also==