Page 4546 - Week 12 - Thursday, 15 October 2009
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Second, education will encompass a range of options, such as a course of study provided by an ACT government or non-government school; a course of study leading to the completion of year 10 or year 12 at a registered training organisation such as the Canberra Institute of Technology; another vocational education and training course offered by a registered training organisation; a higher education course provided by a registered training provider, such as a university under the law of the commonwealth or a state or territory; another course of study approved by the Chief Executive of the Department of Education and Training; an education program provided by a registered home educator; and a course of study provided by a school under the law of another state or territory.
This broad definition will redefine how we provide education in the territory. The government has been listening and the community supports this reform. In August 2008, I released the ACT government’s Pathways to the future—a consultation paper on increasing young people’s engagement in education, training and work. Feedback indicated strong support for the introduction of a minimum compulsory participation age of 17 rather than a school leaving age. Under this compulsory participation age, young people would be required and supported to stay in education, training or work.
In 2008, the ACT Skills Commission also released a report which included a recommendation that the ACT government review the age up to which participation in some combination of education and training is compulsory. The ACT government released the ACT Skills Future report and reiterated its commitment to increasing the proportion of 19-year-olds with a year 12 certificate or equivalent by 2013.
In April this year, I announced the ACT government’s “learn or earn” policy. I said that it would be compulsory for students to participate in schooling, training or work until the age of 17. Then, on 2 July 2009, all states and territories agreed to the youth attainment and transitions national partnership. This partnership, along with the compact with young Australians, will provide all young people aged 15 to 19 years with an entitlement to an education or training place for qualifications. It also gives young people aged 20 to 24 years an education or training place.
National targets were set, and progress will be measured by the Australian Bureau of Statistics survey of education and work. But with this entitlement comes a responsibility. Young people will have to participate in school or an approved equivalent until they complete a year 10 qualification. They will then have to participate in education, training or employment, or a combination of these activities, until they turn 17.
The ACT is well placed to meet these national targets. Our national partnership implementation plan is well underway. We have already commenced a mapping process of all of the programs which currently operate in the territory to encourage and retain students until year 12. We have already met the 90 per cent year 12 qualification benchmark. But we are aiming higher—aiming for 95 per cent.
This legislation dramatically changes how education operates in the territory. All young people will be participating in education—no excuses. But, in return, we will provide choice and flexibility to all young people. We know that this is a
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