The Federal Budget has included a $54 million package to improve standards of science and maths teaching in Australian schools.

 

The package responds to the report by Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb, Mathematics, Engineering And Science In The National Interest.

 

The package includes:

National leadership to drive inspirational and high quality teaching in maths and science

  • $10.9 million to improve the quality of teacher training through innovative delivery of maths and science teaching programs for prospective teachers.
  • $3.0 million for national support and advice for teachers, including funding for a national advisory and linking service, online videos to illustrate new teaching standards, practical activities for school science laboratories and to provide advice for school science laboratory technicians and science teachers on safe practices.
  • $5 million for the Science Connections program to equip teachers with the ability and confidence to deliver inquiry-based science education and to provide a suite of high quality curriculum resources linked to the Australian Curriculum for Science (Foundation to Year 10).

National initiatives to set new benchmarks for raising the engagement, curiosity and participation of students at primary and secondary school levels

  • $20 million to establish the Australian Mathematics and Science Partnerships Program to support innovative partnerships between universities, schools and other organisations to improve secondary students’ engagement in maths and science and increase the number of students who go on to study these subjects at university.
  • $2.0 million for the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute, providing students with access to advanced programs in the fields of mathematical and scientific research including through summer schools and vacation scholarships.
  • $6.5 million for expanding the Science Partnerships: Scientists and Mathematicians in Schools program.
  • $2.4 million to support the participation of Australia’s most talented science and maths students in the international Science and Mathematics Olympiads.

National leadership to promote sustained awareness of mathematics, science and statistics targeted at industry, school and higher education sectors.

  • $4.3 million for a National Mathematics and Science Education and Industry Adviser, an important new post to be located within the Office of the Chief Scientist to champion the role of mathematics, science and statistics across education and industry.

The Government has also taken the decision to simplify student contribution amounts for maths and science units at universities by reinstating amounts for all students to Band 2 from 1 January 2013. This treats all students studying these units equally.

The Government will consider the Chief Scientist's recommendations regarding student incentives and career pathways for maths and science students in its response to the Lomax-Smith report on the base funding of universities later in 2012.