Schools
23 January, 2023
School is back for 2023
AROUND 875,000 Queensland students head back to school today (January 23) for the start of the 2023 school year.
Education Minister Grace Grace said more than 571,000 students with attend Queensland’s 1,262 state schools this year.
“They will be guided by more than 55,000 teachers and 19,000 teacher aides from Day 1,” Ms Grace said.
“I’d like to give a special shout out to 44,000 new preppies who are starting their very first day of school too.
The start of the new school year, also marks the start of a speed camera sign pilot being rolled out across the state by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the purpose-built cameras were part of a world-first pilot designed to protect students during their daily travels.
“I’m pleased to announce that new cameras will target speeding drivers in school zones to keep Queensland kids, parents and teachers safe,” Mr Bailey said.
"Children can be unpredictable and are especially vulnerable to vehicles travelling at speed.
“I don’t want to see someone’s child badly injured or killed on their way to school just because of the recklessness of a speeding driver.
“It’s vital we do everything we can to keep the vulnerable in our community safe on our roads and these cameras will help to achieve that.
"With students heading back to school, we're putting this new enforcement technology into action to encourage safer driving in school zones."
RACQ General Manager of Advocacy Joshua Cooney said the Club was concerned too many motorists still did not take school zone speed limits seriously.
“Our latest Road Safety Survey showed that despite almost 90% of Queenslanders driving their kids to school, half admitted to speeding in a school zone. It’s simply not good enough,” Mr Cooney said.
“School zone speed limits are not optional; they need to be enforced to keep our kids safe.
“Every child should be able to get to and from school safely, and as drivers, we all have a responsibility to make sure that happens.”
