The Territory Labor Government has today launched its 10year Framework for Inclusion, a strategy to help every Territory child,irrespective of their circumstances, reach their full potential.
The Framework for Inclusion 2019-2029 will build anddevelop all teachers capacityto work with children with additional needs.
The Framework is part of akey Territory Labor election commitment to invest $40 million over four yearsin early intervention, flexible schooling, and in supporting students withadditional needs.
It was developed after areview of current policy and practice for students with additional needsundertaken by the Centre for International Research on Education Systems atVictoria University in Melbourne.
The review identified threepriority areas:
- Actions focusedon children and students, families and communities
- Actions focusingon developing capability of schools and school staff
- Actions focusedon system improvement
The Department of Education will now workcollaboratively with principals and key education stakeholders to design theimplementation plan, which will roll out in three phases: 2019-22, 2023-25 and2026-28.
The Department will ask for expressions ofinterest from three schools at the end of this week to undertake a two-yeartrial hub and spoke model, to build the professional capacity of staff ininclusive practice in mainstream schools.
As stated by Minister for Education,Selena Uibo.
The Territory Labor Government wants everychild to have equal opportunity to engage in their learning, so they can growand achieve a bright future.
Inclusive education is about designing ourteaching and learning programs so that all students, regardless of theirbackground, ability or personal circumstances, can participate and learn.
Barriers to learning can stem from a range offactors, from disability, to social, emotional and behavioural needs, mentalillness and vulnerability, to children and students who have been involved inthe child protection or youth justice systems.
By putting in place a framework thatemphasises shared decision-making with families and other agencies, along withupskilling teachers, support staff and school leaders to respond effectively tochildren with additional needs, we are helping to break down those barriers,and build brighter futures.
