The State Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) has welcomed the release of the Ministerial Report into School Viability.
TCCI Chief Executive Robert Wallace said educational outcomes must be the top consideration in managing school numbers.
"As the report states, achieving the best possible education outcomes must be the primary goal of any decision to retain or close a school," Mr Wallace said.
"The report estimates that $23 million per year is now being spent on surplus school infrastructure."
"This is $23 million wasted every year, which should be re-directed to better educational services.
"We cannot use Education Department budget to prop up unviable schools in the name of subsidising a micro local economy.
"Many parents clearly favour a quality educational opportunity over local parochialism by sending their children to schools outside their local catchment. This is what is driving small schools out of businesses.
"However, our criticism of the report is that the 18-month timetable to identify and amalgamate schools is too long. We cannot afford to be wasting $23 million a year of our education dollars for any longer.
"The process should be fast-tracked to amalgamate schools where there is a compelling educational case, from 2013," Mr Wallace said.
For more information contact:
Robert Wallace – 0457 363 600