More schools needed for 'explosion of pupils'
A THINK tank on the future of Queensland schooling has been told that a boom in enrollments will force new thinking about how students are taught.
The School Infrastructure - New Directions forum held in Brisbane on Thursday highlighted that more than 100 schools would be needed in the next 10 years to keep up with an explosion of pupils.
They will be most needed in the faster growing regions of Caloundra South and Mackay.
Up to 50 people represented public, independent and Catholic schools plus a number of planning experts.
Independent Schools Queensland deputy executive director Helen Coyer said already the supply of new schools was falling behind the demand.
"The number of schools is not matching that level of growth at the moment," Ms Coyer said.
"Whether we can build them or not, we need to look at innovative ways to tackle the problem.
"We have to look at what other practices we can use in the provision of education."
Despite the guests facing a huge emerging challenge, Ms Coyer said the mood was positive, laced with "a recognition that we need to work together to get things done".
ISQ estimated it would take a commitment of $3 billion spanning a decade to ensure the 10 schools needed each year were built.
