Page 4091 - Week 13 - Thursday, 2 December 2021
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language education. Community language schools are not-for-profit organisations that provide out-of-hours language classes for students interested in learning languages. They connect people living in Canberra to the language, heritage and culture of a broad range of communities around the world. To be eligible for funding from the ACT government, schools must provide at least two hours of classes per week. Classes can include cultural activities, but these activities must have a strong language focus.
Under the second action plan of the ACT Multicultural Framework 2015-2020, the ACT government committed to undertake an independent review of investment in ACT community language schools. The review identified the critical work that community language schools do to contribute to a stronger and better connected Canberra. Importantly, it presents several recommendations to further improve and optimise the program.
The report of the review contains a total of 12 recommendations to improve the provision of community language learning in the ACT. As well as recommendations made to the government, the report makes recommendations to the ACT Community Language Schools Association and community language schools themselves. The recommendations aim to ensure that language skills are available to all Canberrans so that they can communicate and maintain connections with friends, family and community, preserving cultural identity and values in the process.
I am pleased to share that there is significant alignment between the recommendations of the review and the actions that the government and community language schools have already been progressing to promote and support the learning of community languages in the ACT.
Of the six recommendations directed to the ACT government, four are agreed and two are agreed in principle. Where they are agreed in principle, the government supports the intent of the recommendation, but recognises that further exploration and planning are needed. The government has also agreed to one recommendation and noted the remaining five recommendations directed to the ACT Community Language Schools Association and community language schools themselves. We will work collaboratively with key stakeholders to implement all recommendations identified by the review.
We are committed to this program and will continue working to improve the ACT’s provision of language learning. This independent review will help us to focus our continued collective efforts to support and improve language learning outcomes for the Canberra community.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Molonglo group centre and surrounds—government response
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Manager of Government Business, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety, Minister for Planning and Land Management and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (3.38): Pursuant to standing order 211, I move:
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