RECEIVE UPDATESEducation
The ACT Greens believe:
1. high-quality, free and equitable education is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy
2. learning is a lifelong process fostered in both formal education and informal settings, from early childhood through adult life
3. everyone should have access to an education that meets their needs and aspirations and gives them the skills and capacity to participate in society
4. it is the responsibility of government to ensure the provision of high-quality, well-resourced and safe learning environments that are open to all students
5. a responsive and relevant education system is underpinned by community involvement and recognises that parents and guardians play a critical role in the education of their children.
The ACT Greens want:
1. a vibrant and viable public education system that attains world-class standards of excellence and reflects the diversity of the broader community
2. all schools funding to be based on need, and allocated in a transparent and accountable manner
3. an end to the gap in academic achievement associated with students’ socioeconomic status
4. a public education system that encourages and supports the efforts of all students to reach their potential
5. to maintain and further develop of a high-quality professional teaching force to meet current and projected needs of the community
6. high-quality early childhood education in a range of settings
7. high school and college systems that engage with, and provide opportunities for, all young people to extend their knowledge and capabilities in ways that enrich their lives
8. a range of accessible programs offering new opportunities to adults at all stages of their life, including those re-entering the workforce and adjusting to changed circumstances
9. strong links between schools and their communities.
The ACT Greens support:
1. establishing a high-level taskforce to develop a needs-based approach to education funding, with a focus on improving equity of outcomes
2. commissioning research into the drift away from the ACT public education system, and subsequently develop and implement a strategy to reverse this trend
3. assessing the impact of the ‘Toward 2020’ program and set up ongoing consultation with communities affected by school closures to address negative impacts
4. retaining public ownership of all ACT public education infrastructure
5. requiring all ACT schools to comply with the Anti-Discrimination Act
6. reviewing pay, conditions and career opportunities of ACT Education professionals to develop a comprehensive strategy addressing their recruitment and retention
7. providing adequate resources and training to ensure the safety of all students and staff
8. making a significant investment in high schools and colleges to improve school coordination and administration, innovative teaching and student–teacher relationships
9. expanding and diversifying alternative settings and programs within schools for students with severe behavioural problems
10. adequately funding comprehensive student support services, ranging from learning assistance to health and welfare
11. providing effective early intervention and ongoing support for students and families in need
12. implementing programs of social service delivery, community activities and community education in schools at appropriate hours
13. funding programs to facilitate parent involvement in student learning and increase school resources to improve school/family communication
14. increasing the availability and quality of publicly run Out of School Hours care programs for all children
15. strengthening the teaching of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, environmental studies, languages and the arts, and implementing cross-curriculum approaches to sustainability education
16. encouraging innovative teaching and curriculum development through engagement with the community sector
17. providing additional teachers and resources for students with special needs, including those experiencing learning difficulty or disability and those with special skills or talents
18. additional training and professional development for teaching staff to increase the support available to students with disabilities in mainstream classes
19. developing and implementing culturally appropriate learning methods and resources, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
20. providing appropriate education for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, including ongoing access to tuition for those who wish to study English as a Second Language
21. implementing education system planning, resourcing and decision-making that respects the views of school communities and other stakeholders
22. partnership approaches between schools and families at early childhood and primary school levels
23. providing access to free pre-school education for all three and four year olds
24. establishing a rolling program of secondary school infrastructure upgrades
25. comprehensively reviewing the ACT University Admission Index system, and implementing changes where necessary
26. expanding the provision of tertiary, vocational and community education programs, including the ACT Adult and Community Education grant programs
27. adequately resourcing the Technical and Further Education (TAFE) system as the main provider of vocational education and training in the ACT, and extending funding for vocational education programs in schools
28. ensuring adequate affordable accommodation options for higher education students.
