The Cook Labor Government is refusing to commit to renewing the funding for the Principal Chaplaincy Program, which provides essential wellbeing support for school principals in regional and remote communities.
Funding for this vital program is due to run out on 31 December 2025, with no clear answers as to whether it will be extended.
Delivered by YouthCARE, the Principal Chaplaincy Program is highly valued by school leaders and their representative bodies across the state. In addition, it directly supports the Department of Education’s own Principal Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2023-2027.
In 2024, the Cook Labor Government attempted to cut this program, but after the wider community mobilised in response, that decision was reversed. Yet again, this Government appears to be slow rolling this vital initiative, with funding due to expire at the end of this year.
At a time when there are record highs of stress and burnout among principals, cutting this program would leave WA school leaders without trusted, confidential support.
We therefore ask the Legislative Council to call on the Government to:
1. Guarantee the funding for YouthCARE’s Principal Chaplaincy Program beyond 31 December 2025.
2. Recognise this program as essential to the wellbeing of hard-working principals across Western Australia.
3. Ensure the program’s long-term future as an element of the Principal Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2023-2027.
4. Commit to transparent communication with principals and stakeholders, including YouthCARE, about the program’s future; and
5. Give a commitment to support the health and wellbeing of WA principals by continuing this program.
Click here to protect this vital program for our schools by signing the petition.
