National Catholic education executive director Jacinta Collins represented Catholic education on a new ministerial reference group providing advice to the expert panel reviewing the next National School Reform Agreement (NSRA). The 50-member group, met for the first time last Friday.
“We value the federal government’s recognition of the importance of the non-government school sectors in driving reform and improved educational outcomes, and look forward to ongoing involvement,” Jacinta said.
As highlighted in the National Catholic Education Commission’s submission to the Productivity Commission’s review of the National School Reform Agreement, Catholic education would like to see:
- National policy initiatives become more aligned to student outcomes and centred on a strong evidence base, with better planning and costed outcomes.
- Greater consultation in the development of national and bilateral agreements with the non-government sector from the outset.
- Funding for teacher professional learning opportunities such as support for teacher curriculum implementation and developing rich formative assessment resources.
- Support for the implementation of consistent, high-quality standards in initial teacher education and a national approach to child protection and safety registration.
“This is the first-time major education representatives from all sectors have come together to discuss future resourcing needs,” Jacinta said.
The expert panel will turn in its final report to Education Ministers by 31 October this year.
National Catholic Education executive director Jacinta Collins with students. Image courtesy of Catholic Education Western Australia.