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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 5 Hansard (1 May) . . Page.. 1275 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

the new bill are: firstly, the Education Act 1937, which provided for compulsory education, non-government schools and home schooling; the Schools Authority Act 1976, which provided for the establishment and operation of government schools; the Free Education Act (New South Wales) of 1906; and the Public Instruction Act (New South Wales) 1880, in their application to the Australian Capital Territory.

The purpose of the Education Bill 2001 is to state the rights and obligations of parents and government regarding children's school education. As well, it provides powers and provisions for the operation of government schools, the registration of non-government schools and the registration of home schooling.

The Education Bill 2001 is based on the recommendations of the School Legislation Review Committee. The committee was established to advise me on "the relevance of the provisions in the existing acts and the key elements of legislation needed to underpin the high-quality of schooling in the ACT". The committee was asked, amongst other things, to consult widely on the legislation and examine and report on state and territory legislation.

The review committee was chaired by Professor Don Aitken, Vice Chancellor of the University of Canberra. Its membership comprised representatives from schools, parents and teachers organisations from the government and non-government school communities. It also included the executive director of the ACT and Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry and representatives from the Department of Education and Community Services. The review committee published an options paper as a basis for consultations that were made through submissions and workshops.

The new legislation is intended to create a framework for the provision and operation of school legislation that will facilitate the extensive changes that are demanded of schools now and in the future. The new law will be non-prescriptive, enabling schools to exploit new modes of delivery, be it from off campus suppliers, through the Internet and computers, or through communications and information technologies such as interactive television not yet in the marketplace. It requires schools, in developing such programs, to maintain standards and ensure they assist in maximising students' educational achievements.

The bill includes statement of values and principles applying to school education in an open, democratic society. The bill strengthens participation of parents and other stakeholders in decision-making in government schools through the establishment of a Government School Education Council. The council gives a legal foundation to the consultative process and will include representatives of parents, school staff, school boards, industry and commerce.

The bill recognises the significant role of non-government schooling. The values and principles that underpin non-government schooling are acknowledged in the chapter in the legislation dealing with non-government school registration and renewal of registration. A Ministerial Advisory Committee on Non-Government Schooling is formally established through the new legislation.

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