From ALL

It is pleasing to see an increasing number of research and media publications focusing on equity in education as well as people questioning the Australia’s school funding system.

Both raise the question, are we any closer to starting a much-needed public conversation on school reform? If we are, and if funding is seen as a pre-condition for equity, what should come next? What structural and regulatory changes in the total framework of schools need to accompany the funding?

A good starting point is the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration, signed by all Australian Education Ministers in 2019, which explicitly states the ambition to “ensure that all students have access to high-quality education, regardless of their background or circumstances”.

Similarly, the Australian Education Act 2014 underscores the importance of providing “needs-based funding” to ensure that all schools have the resources they need to support the learning of every child.

The Better and Fairer Schools Agreement 2025-2034 inches us part way to the importance of student wellbeing, structured initiatives to support student learning and a strong workforce. This is welcomed.

But the reality is that despite much publicised announcements that funding agreements with Western Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania have been reached, the public school system will still battle the effects of chronic underfunding that has gone on for too long.

Last year Australian Learning Lecture called for a national conversation about putting in place a common framework – common funding and a regulatory framework for all schools to embrace to address deep-rooted inequities across the education system.

We welcome the stand outlined by the Australian Secondary Principals Association which progresses the vision we outlined. ASPA calls for a new accord which unites all players from politicians, parents, the community, the unions, bureaucrats and the education sector.

There is some way to go before all states and territory governments reach agreement with the federal government. Once they do, we urge everyone to take the next steps needed to ensure the Mparntwe Education Declaration is realised.

Canada bound

Part of ALL’s commitment to furthering the debate is to learn more about how other OECD countries manage choice and equity. A group of principals, teachers, researchers are on their way now to Canada to meet with a range of people working in the education system. The tour has been organised by Leading Educators Around the Planet. We look forward to hearing more about what is possible in November.

Encouraging student passion

 Building on schools knowing each student’s passion to create deep learning for them remains a priority for us.  We believe this fights disengagement and leads to greater achievement and wellbeing.  We have launched a series of lessons and professional development materials with COOL Australia. It is pleasing to see that the interest from the Australian teaching community about passion is growing.

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