Department for Education (South Australia)

Overview

• Preceding Department: Department for Education and Child Development
• Jurisdiction: State of South Australia
• Headquarters: 31 Flinders Street, Adelaide
• Employees: 32,073 (2023)
• Annual Budget: $3.9 billion (2022-2023)
• Minister Responsible: Blair Boyer, Minister for Education, Training and Skills
• Chief Executive: Prof. Martin Westwell
• Website: education.sa.gov.au

History

• Education Act 1875: Established public schools and compulsory schooling for ages 7-13.
• Post-WWII: Rapid growth due to increased birth rates, immigration, demand for secondary education.
• Reviews: Karmel and Keeves reviews impacted education policies.

Structure

• Ministerial Responsibility: Minister oversees department; CEO (formerly Director-General) administers under Minister.
• Key Offices:
  • Office of the Chief Executive
  • Office of Schools
  • Office of Child Development
  • Policy and Communications
  • Finance and Infrastructure
  • Aboriginal, Student and Family Services
  • Teaching and Learning Services
  • Human Resources and Workforce Development

Historical Context

• Early Settlement: Non-conformist tradition; initial reluctance for state involvement in education.
• Education Act 1851: Created Board of Education; established support for school buildings and teacher stipends.
• Secular Education: Separation of church and state in schooling.
• Education Act 1875: Provided free and compulsory education.

Developments in the 20th Century

• 1900: University Training College opened for teacher training.
• 1908: Adelaide High School, first free state high school.
• Post-1942: Secondary education became norm, Qualifying Certificate abolished.

Changes in the 1950s-1960s

• Curriculum Standardization: Standard texts in primary schools.
• Rapid Growth: Due to higher birth rates and immigration, teacher demand increased.
• 1960s Social Changes: More child-centered focus, flexibility in teaching methods.
• 1970 Freedom and Authority Memorandum: Emphasized local control for schools.
• 1971 Karmel Report: Comprehensive review of state education system.

1980s Onwards

• 1981 Policy Document "Into the 80s": Emphasized local school influence on curriculum.
• 1982 Keeves Report: Recommended greater curriculum specificity.
• 2012-2016: Education and Child Development departments combined, then separated due to controversy.

Education Development Centre

• Located in Hindmarsh; used by Department, wider education sector, and available for private hire.

Ministers of Education

• List of ministers from 1953 to present, with periods of Liberal and Labor governance. Notable shifts include:
  • Baden Pattinson (1953-1965, Liberal)
  • Ronald Loveday (1965-1968, Labor)
  • Blair Boyer (Incumbent from 2022, Labor)

Key Historical Points

• Separation of Church and State: South Australia was first to clearly separate church and state in education.
• South Australian Referendum 1896: Supported existing secular education system.
• Teacher Training and Secondary Education Expansion: Key developments throughout the 20th century.