Schools forms go digital

Paper forms at NSW public schools are destined for the pages of history books as the NSW Government embarks on a school digitalisation program.

Image: The rollout of online enrolment will continue to all public primary schools by 2021.

The NSW Government will provide all parents at public primary schools with the option to enrol their child online and is starting a program to digitise other frequently used school forms.

Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said after a successful pilot, the rollout of online enrolment would continue to all public primary schools by 2021.

"This is a game changer for families and schools across NSW. Online enrolment offers a modern, digital alternative to the current handwritten application form, saving both families and school administration teams hours of precious time," Ms Mitchell said.

"A single paper enrolment form can take 40 minutes to process, whereas schools using online enrolment can complete up to six enrolment applications in just 30 minutes.

"What was formerly a 16-page form will now be a streamlined experience, which has been designed using parent feedback collected during the pilot.

Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the Digital Restart Fund had been instrumental in assisting Department of Education to bring this essential process online and work was starting on other forms.

"We want to cut the number of physical forms down from 85 to a more manageable level. We will start with the forms used most frequently by families and schools, which include parent-teacher interview bookings, student absences, and HSC subject selection," Mr Dominello said.

"Currently, parents and carers spend more than six million hours a year filling these forms out, and school staff spend 11 million hours processing them.

"The current model is outdated, and this digital solution is a winner for families and staff."

"This is another example of the NSW Government putting families first and investing in technology to make life easier for them."

The paper enrolment option will remain for families who do not have access to digital facilities.

Parents will be able to access the online system for local enrolment applications on their local school website.

To check if online applications are available at your school, go to the school website or the online enrolment page.

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