The Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA) has recommended to the Review of the Melbourne Declaration of Educational Goals for Young Australians that challenges of education provision in regional and remote areas should be specifically recognised in the Declaration's areas of commitment to action.
'Since the Melbourne Declaration was published in 2008, research evidence has confirmed that geographic location is strongly linked to educational disadvantage in Australia,' said AHISA's CEO, Ms Beth Blackwood.
'It is pleasing that federal and state and territory governments are already taking steps to address the challenges faced by students and schools in regional and remote areas,' said Ms Blackwood. 'Identifying regional and remote issues as a specific form of disadvantage in a revised Declaration will serve to recognise the work that is already underway and, importantly, will ensure that collaborative action to address these issues is a focus of the Education Council.'
AHISA's submission to the Review of the Melbourne Declaration also calls for explicit recognition of the importance of the professional expertise of educators in students' development and academic achievement, and recommends the Declaration be used as a vehicle to proclaim a national vision for schools as well as for students.
'Schools are intentional communities as well as institutions of learning,' said Ms Blackwood. 'They support students' learning and wellbeing and that means reaching out to families and carers, too.'
'The success of schools as communities is a responsibility shared by students, families, teachers, school leaders, school owners and the broader community,' said Ms Blackwood. 'A national vision for schools would be an important way to recognise and promote that.'
