Education Minister and Arnhem MLA Selena Uibo was in Katherine today to welcome students and teachers back to school.

This financial year marks a $1.16 billion education spend from the Territory Labor Government, after years of school budget cuts and teacher sackings under the previous CLP government.

The Government made an election promise to reinstate 164 teacher positions lost under the CLP and, in government, is delivering on that promise.

There are 138 extra teachers in the first semester of 2019 compared to the first semester of 2016.

Last week, 33 new Territory teachers attended an orientation session ahead of starting their new roles today.

Minister for Education Selena Uibo this morning welcomed back students at Katherine High School, while Chief Minister Michael Gunner will attend Alawa Primary School to greet students and teachers returning from their three week school holiday break.

Education Minister Selena Uibo said: "We came to government with the key priority of investing in our children and creating generational change.

"Territory Labor promised to reinstate 164 teacher positions slashed by the CLP when they cut $135 million from the education budget. We are delivering.

"This financial year we will invest $1.16 billion in education, which will provide critical support and infrastructure that will enable all our Territory children to engage, grow and achieve bright futures.

"I'd like to wish all Territory students, teachers and support staff all the very best for a happy and successful new school term."

Meanwhile, NT Police are urging motorist's to slow down in school zones and pay extra attention while in and around schools.

Police will be conducting active patrols of school zones enforcing the 40 km/h speed limits. Most school zones are 40km/h between the hours of 7am and 5pm on school days.

Police take a zero tolerance approach to speeding in school zones. Drivers caught speeding face fines starting from $190 and will incur loss of demerit points, or worse, loss of licence.

In addition to speeding, police will be targeting other dangerous practices such as talking on mobile phones, people stopping or parking on or near school crossings which obstructs the visibility of other drivers.

The message is simple, "Let's make sure we get our kids back to school safely, by slowing down, paying extra attention and please just be patient and courteous in and around schools".

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