The Federal Government is paying $2.1 million to give Tasmanian school principals and parents groups more say.

As part of the $70 million Independent Public Schools initiative, Tasmania will undertake the new Community Empowered Schools program to increase autonomy in schools.

The funds will be directed to around 120 private Tasmanian Catholic schools and other independent institutions.

The money is meant to allow Tasmania to “further increase parental and community involvement in school decision-making,” according to federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne.

“Tasmanian public schools already have a high level of autonomy,” Tasmanian Minister for Education Jeremy Rockliff said.

“Through school associations made up of community, parent and teacher representatives.

“This funding will ... further increase parental and community involvement in school decision-making,” he said.

“Funding will go to activities that help to empower parents to be more active in schools and to support their children’s learning.”

The official site for the Students First scheme is accessible here.