Thanks for the invite Luke.
This is just a copy of the report I’ll give on Monday’s forum to my school council.
At the end of the forum, Mary asked: ‘what is one thing you think the commonwealth government can do education if Labor is in government?’
One thing I’d like to see is for the Minister (Maybe at her first COAG meeting) to require the state and territory ministers to develop a strategic plan to deal with the widening gap between the opportunities and achievement of rural students compared to their metropolitan peers.
There is plenty of data , as you know, to prove the existence of the problem. (Minister Merlino only has to look at his own department’s data going back years or the 2014 Victorian Auditor General’s report)
They need to consult with rural stakeholders to identify the issues and source the solutions (the solutions are there but they are being implemented in a piecemeal, ad hoc fashion.) A systematic approach is needed. I think the states are looking for direction here (and some ‘carrots’ maybe from that $17 billion in additional funding) and would welcome national leadership on the issue. After hearing Bill and Tanya I’m sure they are the only ones who can deliver on this. Without their leadership, the gap/gulf I mentioned will continue to widen and the Melbourne Declaration will be noble but nonetheless empty promises.
Tony Shaw
Response from her office.
Hi Tony
On behalf of Tanya, I wanted to thank you for your contribution to Monday’s Schools Forum.
Your passion for education and for your school community was very evident, and it was great to have such a strong advocate for rural education presenting to the larger audience.
Thanks also for sending through the summary report and your suggestion about a rural strategy. If you have any further thoughts or suggestions, please send them through at any time.
Once again, thanks so much for your participation.
Kind Regards
Kimberley McDonald
Adviser
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