The Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA) has welcomed the release of the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration.
'The federal and state and territory ministers of education are to be congratulated on working collaboratively to develop and agree on the national goals that will guide school education provision in Australia over the next decade,' said AHISA National Chair, the Rev. Chris Ivey.
'Educators also appreciate the extensive consultation process that was undertaken in developing the Declaration,' said the Rev. Ivey, who is Principal of St Andrew's Anglican College in Queensland. 'Including students in that process is a great example of the importance of giving young Australians a voice in policy deliberations that will have a direct impact on a foundational stage of their lives.'
The Rev. Ivey said there are several additions to the Mparntwe Declaration that are welcome improvements to the exposure draft, including insertion of a Commitment to Action to the primary years of schooling, and a recognition within Goal 1 that support for all education sectors – 'government and non-government, secular and faith-based' – is integral to promoting excellence and equity in Australian education.
'The acknowledgement in the Declaration of the quality and professional expertise of Australia's educators and the critical role we play in developing Australian education and pursuing the national goals is particularly welcome,' said the Rev. Ivey. 'As we prepare to enter the "Mparntwe decade", it is my hope that all school education policymaking in Australia will begin with that premise.'
