There is also an emerging challenge catering to children with special needs.

Since last year, the number of students with special needs increased by 85 (4.8 per cent) in public schools and 68 (16.5 per cent) in non-government schools.

Education Minister Andrew Barr issued yesterday the ACT School Census which showed public school enrolments had increased by 1.5 per cent - or by 575 students - to 38,853 students.

Enrolments to non-government schools increased by 1.8 per cent or by 459 students to 26,559.

It was the first time in more than 10 years that the increase in the number of enrolments in public schools had exceeded the number of enrolments in non-government schools.

Mr Barr said there had been a ''renewed focus on quality on public education'', saying the controversial school closures of 2006 had paid off.

''The pain and the difficulties that were associated with that reform process in 2006 are showing dividends in terms of enrolments, in terms of quality infrastructure in our schools and in terms of being able to increase investment in key target areas,'' he said.

''The money that was saved from closing schools in 2006 has been reinvested into pastoral care in our high schools, into support for indigenous students, into support for students with a disability and into support for students who have gifts and talents.''

There were big increases in enrolments at independent primary schools (up 4.4 per cent) and Catholic colleges (up 8 per cent).

In the government sector, there had been strong growth at four new early-childhood centres, enrolments up by 69 per cent.

Almost nine in 10 preschool level enrolments were in public schools.

For more on this story, see the print edition of today's Canberra Times.