YVETTE BERRY MLA
DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development
Minister for Housing and Suburban Development
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence
Minister for Women
Minister for Sport and Recreation
Member for Ginninderra
16 February 2016
Setting a course for the future of education
Today I’ve started work on ACT Labor’s commitment to a ‘future of education’ discussion paper and reform
process.
In a ministerial statement I have emphasised the core value of equity in our school and early childhood
education and care systems and the fact that everyone benefits when we achieve this equity.
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.
The ACT Government is also deeply committed to the principle of needs-based funding and are 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.
I will also ask community leaders from different fields to work with us through this process, bringing different
perspectives to the issues facing students and helping to guide our pursuit of greater equity.
This extensive consultation process will 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.
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.
ACT LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
Phone (02) 6205 0023
Email [email protected]
@YvetteSBerry
YvetteSBerry
Statement ends
Media contact:
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M 0422 772 215
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