CMY welcomes final report of Inquiry into the state education system in Victoria
CMY welcomes the release of the final report of the Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee Inquiry into the State Education System in Victoria, which was tabled in Parliament on 15 October. We were pleased to make a submission, and to speak at the public hearing earlier this year.
The Inquiry received 274 submissions, from teachers, students, families and advocacy groups. Public hearings were held earlier this year and the Committee heard from 92 witnesses, including CMY. The report outlines 54 recommendations on five key areas: learning outcomes, targeted support for students, teaching workforce, student wellbeing and funding.
We were encouraged that the Committee has recognised the diverse needs of Victoria’s multicultural student cohort, and they have reinforced CMY’s recommendations for the Victorian Government to provide more adequate support for these students, including:
- establishing a program of multicultural support officers (Rec 29),
- reviewing English as an Additional Language funding with a view to ensuring that every student requiring support is reached (Rec 50), and
- the Department of Education to commit to funding that ensures the long-term stability of Out of School Hours Learning Support Programs (OSHLSP) (Rec 30).
In their report, the Committee also highlighted that experiences of racism make students feel unsafe and increase disengagement, which has significant and lasting negative impacts for young people and our communities. We note the Committee shared our call for the Victorian Government to implement anti-racism best practice in our schools by funding and scaling up models such as Schools Standing up to Racism and establishing anti-racism policies and supports within government schools.
This comprehensive report explores important issues of teacher retention, students’ experience of racism, and issues of student wellbeing. While the Committee made important findings in these areas, we emphasise the need for decisive action to achieve accessibility, inclusivity and equity, the cornerstones of a thriving education system. CMY strongly encourages the Government to endorse and fund these recommendations, which we believe will enhance equity and outcomes for all students in our state.
Read the full report of the Inquiry here, or read CMY’s submission here or hearing transcript here.
We look forward to reading the Government’s response, and to working with the Government to support the implementation of the recommendations arising from the Inquiry into Victoria’s education system.