Reform process begins

ACT Education minister Yvette Berry MLA has kick-started the development of a strategy for the future of education in the Territory, which emphasises equity in the school and early childhood education and care systems.

This work will include a community consultation process with parents and carers, students, teachers, educators and education leaders, and members of the broader ACT community.

In a ministerial statement, Ms Berry emphasised the core value of equity and the fact that everyone benefits when this equity is achieved.

“Labor believes in a diverse, creative and equitable school system where no one is excluded because of their background, culture, gender, class, religion, sexuality, wealth or ability,” she said.

“The ACT Government is also deeply committed to the principle of needs-based funding and is reforming our school funding model in line with the Gonski agreement.

“With these fundamental principles in mind, the government will soon begin a process to sit down with a broad spectrum of education leaders, teachers, educators, students, parents and carers to listen to their views.”

Community leaders from different fields would also be asked to collaborate to bring different perspectives to issues facing students.

Ms Berry said the extensive consultation process would also help guide the delivery of other key election commitments in education, including free electronic devices for students and fostering greater parental engagement.

“This work is vital to ensure that every child, regardless of their circumstances or background has access to an education that will set them up for a bright future,” she said.

“We know for example that time spent in early childhood education, particularly for those children from low income families, is incredibly important in getting them ready for school and we will also use this process to inform a strategy in support of greater access to quality early childhood education and care.

“Today I have also written directly to important stakeholders in education and related fields to set out this direction and explain that I will be seeking their involvement as we build a community-led conversation around our school and early childhood education and care systems.”

The ACT Council of Social Service welcomed the commitment to a discussion paper and reform process.

ACTCOSS director Susan Helyar said Canberra, one of the best educated populations in Australia and with a growing knowledge economy, also had some of the worst education attainment gaps in the nation.

“While on average ACT students perform highly, these averages conceal numbers of highly disadvantaged students,” she said.

“Diversity within suburbs means disadvantage is spread out rather than concentrated in a few areas or schools.

“Socioeconomic status (income) is a stronger predictor of education attainment in Canberra than it is in other places.

“In simple terms, that means that in Canberra being disadvantaged has a bigger impact on your education outcomes than it does in other places.”

ACTCOSS director Susan Helyar said Canberra, one of the best educated populations in Australia and with a growing knowledge economy, also had some of the worst education attainment gaps in the nation.