Support program for regional and remote principals in limbo after State Government refuses to confirm funding

The future of a program providing assistance to regional and remote principals remains uncertain as questions regarding the future of the initiative were left unanswered in Parliament last week. In the Legislative Assembly on September 9, shadow minister for education Liam Staltari asked Minister for Education Sabine Winton if the Government would continue to fund the Principal Chaplaincy Program after December 31. In response, Ms Winton said the Government had supported the program for a long time, increasing both funding and participation, but refused to answer with details. “I’m not going to pre-empt any decision on a contract that gets negotiated by the Department of Education,” She said. “I don’t think it’s appropriate.” The Principal Chaplaincy Program, administered by YouthCARE, is a program staffed by professionally trained and experienced chaplains, offering face-to-face pastoral care and wellbeing support to principals in regional schools. Mr Staltari said the State Government needed to guarantee the future of the program to help install confidence in principals. “WA school principals go above and beyond in support of their staff and students — their job can be extremely challenging and they deserve the highest standard of face-to-face pastoral care,” he said. “At a time of growing burnout and stress, it is inconceivable that the Government could cut the Principal Chaplaincy Program despite clear support among school leaders — especially in regional schools. “This is a government that will fully fund its $217.5 million Burswood Racetrack, while pinching pennies over a much-loved program that supports principals at a cost of just $400,000.” The Opposition said the program had supported and been used by 249 principals in 2024. YouthCARE CEO Tamsyn Cullingford said the group was surprised at the government’s response. “After fighting tooth and nail to secure 12 extra months of funding in October last year and given the effective working relationship we have with the Government and our shared commitment to student and staff wellbeing, we are genuinely surprised it is unable to confirm the continuation of the program,” she said. “Principal chaplaincy is staffed by professionally trained and experienced chaplains and is in high demand in regional and remote schools across the state. “The positive flow-on effects to the wider school community from providing support to principals working in some of the most challenging schools and conditions in the State is immeasurable.” Member for Warren-Blackwood Bevan Eatts said principals in his area were being pushed to breaking point. “Nine out of 10 rely on the Principal Chaplaincy Program as their only form of pastoral support,” “The minister needs to explain why she won’t commit to its future.” A spokesperson for Ms Winton told the Times the State Government recognised the “importance of supporting principals with their health and wellbeing” with the program just one of many initiatives in place. “Other system level supports in place for principals include the Collegiate Principal Program and the Principal Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2023-27 (Strategy),” they said. “Building on the strategy, the Department of Education also provides support to principals through the Employee Assistance Program, Manager Assistance Program and access to online resources and wellbeing tools. “The School Principals Chaplaincy Program is funded until the end of 2025. The department is conducting an evaluation of the program, as is the appropriate process.”