A chronology of education in Queensland

1951-1975

The main responsibility for conducting migrant education in Queensland passed from the Commonwealth Government to the State Government.

The name of the Department was altered from the Department of Public Instruction to the Department of Education.
A second teachers college at Kedron Park in Brisbane was opened. The Townsville University College was established as part of the University of Queensland.
Queensland Conservatorium of Music was opened at South Brisbane

At the end of the year, both Grades 7 and 8 transferred automatically to secondary school, becoming (in 1964) Grades 8 and 9 respectively.

The Education Act of 1964 introduced changes in the control of secondary, technical and agricultural education, and raised the school leaving age to 15 (operative in 1965).
New primary and secondary syllabuses were introduced over the next five years.

A textbook allowance for all secondary students in both State and non-State schools, free of means tax, was introduced.

Institutes of technology were opened in Toowoomba and Rockhampton. A remote area allowance was introduced for all secondary students in isolated areas.
Queensland's first rural training school was opened at Longreach.
Per capita grants to non-State schools were reintroduced.

The first students to begin a three-year primary course of teacher education at teachers colleges were enrolled.
New teachers colleges were opened at Townsville and at Mt Gravatt in Brisbane.

Public Examinations for Queensland Secondary School Students (the Radford Report) was published.
The external Junior Examination was discontinued for all full-time students.
The Townsville University College became an autonomous university as the James Cook University of North Queensland.
New primary and secondary syllabuses were introduced over the next five years.
The first teacher-librarians were appointed.
The first advisory teachers were appointed.

The Board of Secondary School Studies, responsible for the implementation of the recommendations of the Radford Report, held its first meeting.
The Board of Advanced Education was established and the three institutes of technology, the Queensland Agricultural College and the Conservatorium of Music became autonomous institutions.
Teacher Education in Queensland (the Murphy Report) was published.
Regionalisation of Brisbane and hinterland began with the creation of Brisbane North Region.

The external Senior Examination was held for the last time for all full-time students.
The four teachers colleges became autonomous and came under the control of the Board of Advanced Education.

Provision of one-year State preschool education for four and five year olds commenced.
Comparability tests were used in the first semester of Grade 12 to assist the Moderation Committee of the Board of Secondary School Studies in their duties.
The first teachers centres, or regional resource centres for teachers, opened.
A Co-ordinator of In-Service Education was appointed to supervise important developments in this field.
The first teacher aides were appointed.

The Australian Scholastic Aptitude Test (A.S.A.T.) was administered in September to all students enrolled in semester 4 of Grade 12. The purpose of A.S.A.T. was to obtain information regarding students' aptitudes for higher education.
The preschool correspondence program began.
The Disadvantaged Schools Scheme (later known as the Special Program Schools Scheme) was introduced with Commonwealth funding.
Regionalisation of Brisbane and hinterland completed with creation of Brisbane West and Brisbane South Regions.

The first resource teachers were appointed.
The centenary of the State Education Act of 1875 was celebrated.
The first high school built to the new faculty based campus design was opened at Craigslea in Brisbane.
Professional Development (In Service) Program began with 8 and 16 week refresher courses for teachers. Courses offered to teachers with 5 to 10 years experience. The teacher designed and directed his own program.

Last updated: May 2006