Govt review into regional education open for submissions

Public submissions have opened for the federal government’s review of regional education. The final report and recommendations will be considered concurrently with the findings of the new Gonski review into achieving excellence in all Australian schools.

Deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, said the announcement was an important milestone in the Government’s efforts to ensure regional, rural and remote students not only achieve success at school, but go on to further study, training and employment.

“This independent review offers an opportunity to level the playing field between city and country students,” Minister Joyce said.

“Students living outside our major cities face unique challenges compared to their city cousins which can cause significant disparities between their education outcomes.”

“And the difference starts early. We know rural and remote students are more likely to have developmental vulnerabilities when they start school, such as lower language and cognitive skills. Their NAPLAN results are generally lower and they go on to be under-represented in higher education.”

Minister for education and training, Simon Birmingham, said the discussion paper, prepared by the reviewer Emeritus Professor John Halsey, identified the key issues and challenges faced by rural students and posed areas of focus to stimulate ideas about possible solutions.

The paper identifies nine themes:

• Curriculum and assessment
• Teachers and teaching
• Leaders and leadership
• Information and communication technology
• Entrepreneurship and schools
• School and community
• Improving access
• Diversity
• Transitioning beyond school

“We want to hear from the people on the ground living the experiences of regional education,” Minister Birmingham said.

“The inquiry is particularly keen to hear from members of the education community, families, employers, government agencies and the philanthropic sector about how best we can support regional, rural and remote students to succeed in school and beyond.

“If you have firsthand experience on what’s working, fresh ideas or innovative solutions to improve regional, rural and remote education, we want to hear from you.”

Chair of the Senate Education Committee Bridget McKenzie said the public submissions would highlight issues to be further explored by the review through face-to-face consultations in July to October.

“Liberal and Nationals backbenchers have long championed the importance of a specific focus on the unique challenges and needs of regional students, which this inquiry is delivering,” Senator McKenzie said.

“The inquiry will be pounding the pavement in our regional areas, speaking to a wide range of affected communities in order to find solutions that will assist our young people succeed in the education and training so that they can find better jobs and better opportunities.

“The final report and recommendations of the independent review will be provided to government by the end of this year and will be considered concurrently with the findings of the new Gonski review into achieving excellence in all Australian schools.”

Submissions will close at 5pm, AEST 29 August 2017. For more information visit: https://www.education.gov.au/independent-review-regional-rural-and-remote-education