The Northern Territory Government is improving and strengthening the regulation of non-government schools in the Territory to ensure contemporary community values are reinforced, and an equitable education system is upheld.
The Education Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, which passed through Parliament today, amends the Education Act 2015 and Education Regulations 2015.
The bill was developed after intensive consultation with key education stakeholders and parents of students enrolled in Territory schools.
Six key features of the bill include:
· Supporting the implementation of national policy directions on child safety and wellbeing by requiring all schools, both government and non-government, to adopt and apply the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations;
· Improving protection for priority children and young people at risk of disengagement from education through new information-sharing and data reporting provisions;
· Strengthening the financial viability of the sector through NTG financial assistance for schools not operating for profit;
· Contemporising the registration, assessment and review processes;
· Refining the complaints processes to support the principles of natural justice and meet the expectations of students and parents;
· Introducing an internal review process for reviewable decisions.
Students deserve to have access to education programs and institutions that are appropriate to their individual needs and abilities. The Education Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 delivers stronger regulations to ensure individual student’s needs are met.
The amendments will commence from the 2nd of January 2024.
Quote attributable to Minister for Education, Eva Lawler:
“Every child deserves a quality education so they get the best start in life, and that is why we continue to update legislation to ensure our education system is the best it can be.
“These amendments will go a long way to ensuring our non-government schools are upholding expected community values, but also provide assistance to non-government schools when required.
“Education in the Territory stretches far and wide, as such strengthening our education system as a whole across government and non-government schools is a key priority, and one I am driving tirelessly.”
Northern Territory Government
