Hinchinbrook MP, Andrew Cripps, says a re-elected LNP Government in Queensland would provide the best education for young Queenslanders through a new program to attract and retain the best and brightest into the teaching profession.

Mr Cripps said teacher quality was a top priority for the LNP to improve student outcomes so young Queenslanders had the best possible chance of securing a job.

“We know one of the most important factors of a quality education is the teacher standing in front of the class and the LNP is determined to see Queensland among the top performers in literacy and numeracy in Australia by 2020” said Mr Cripps.

“Only the LNP has a strong plan to get us there through the Quality Teacher Attraction program, which is designed to attract the best and brightest into the teaching profession – and retain them once they were there” he said.

The Quality Teacher Attraction program will support a range of strategies, including:

• 200 Bachelor of Education Scholarships for OP 1 and 2 students.
• 300 Masters qualifications to enable teachers to specialise in areas like Maths and Science
• Extra time for teachers to undertake professional development and further education

“By attracting high-achieving graduate and post-graduate students, we will not only ensure that more young Queenslanders will have access to a great classroom teacher, but we will also reduce the shortages of specialist teachers” said Mr Cripps.

“We want Queensland students to have the best education possible and that’s why we’re supporting teachers to improve their skills in the classroom” he said.

Mr Cripps said only the LNP had a strong, stable team with a plan to attract and retain the state’s brightest teachers to provide the best education for Queensland kids.