The importance of “decision grade” information to support decision-makers was stressed in Steve Neilsen’s column (Canberra Times, Public Sector Informant, July 4). One wonders if any information was used to decide school closures, let alone “decision grade”. The projected enrolments in Tuggeranong under the Towards 2020 plan have 500 more students than the projected enrolments under the current system. This is largely because the figures for Chilsholm and Wanniassa P-10 schools have been inflated by 320 and 200 pupils respectively. As well the projected enrolment for Wanniassa Hills Primary has been swapped with Wanniassa Primary. The projected enrolment for Theodore Primary has been mistakenly listed as the current enrolment.
Apart from the absolutely shambolic nature of the document, what are we to make of this? My interpretation is that these figures were not calculated as part of a comprehensive plan, but cobbled together after the decisions had already been made. On what basis, only the Minister can tell us. My bet is it will turn out to be Cabinet-in-confidence.
Update: Published in the Canberra Times, 11th July.
