The Tasmanian Government is committed to reforming Tasmania’s education system and to improving education outcomes. We want to maintain the integrity of the Education Bill 2016, and to pass the legislation as it provides the certainty required to plan and get important reforms right.
The Government acknowledges the ongoing concerns raised by the Early Childhood Education and Care Sector, particularly in rural and regional areas. We are committed to working with the sector to get the implementation right.
On that basis, the Government is proposing an amendment to the Education Bill to introduce a safety net, to ensure a successful implementation of important reforms which enable earlier access to Prep and Kindergarten. This safety net will allow Parliament to satisfy itself that proper consideration has been given to the effect of the legislation on education and care services in rural areas.
The amendment would provide for the Secretary of the Department of Education to consult with both a stakeholder reference group and other relevant stakeholders such as the Early Childhood Education and Care Sector and provide advice to the Minister on solutions and their implementation.
A reference group was created in 2014 at the beginning of the review of the Education Act. Its membership comprises representatives from:
• The non-government education sector – Catholic Education Office and Independent Schools Tasmania.
• Home education through the Tasmanian Home Education Advisory Council,
• Parents – of children in public education (Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations), and parents of children in Catholic and independent schools.
• Unions – United Voice, the CPSU, the AEU and the Independent Education Union.
• ACECQA – Tasmania’s nominee on ACECQA represented the education and care sector.
• Principals through the Tasmanian Principals’ Association.
• Higher education through the University of Tasmania and TasTAFE, and
• The Teachers Registration Board.
The change to an earlier school starting age would only come into effect once an Order made by the Minister is published in the Gazette. This would occur no later than 1 September, 2017.
Critically, before making that Order, the Minister must table the Order and the Implementation Report from the Secretary in both Houses of Parliament and could only make the Order with the acceptance of Parliament. If the Order was disallowed by Parliament and therefore not made, the current school starting age of 5 would remain.
This will provide Parliament with the opportunity to assure itself that appropriate action has been taken and implementation is well planned.
It will also allow further consultation to be undertaken with the Early Childhood Education and Care Sector specifically on implementation.
The Early Childhood Education and Care Sector have expressed a willingness to work with the Government to get this right – this mechanism provides a further opportunity for this to occur.
Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Education and Training