Page 2931 - Week 08 - Thursday, 25 June 2009
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
(5) any other related matter.”.
As with the previous amendment, these terms of reference were agreed on by the committee. They are wide ranging but they will allow interested parties and experts to contribute constructively to an analysis of the way our education system works for people from various backgrounds. The minister will note that we are interested in and looking both at the measurable outcomes and the more qualitative notions of engagement in forming a view about how our school systems are working for the full range of students. The heart of the matter, however, is one of the differences in outcomes across the socioeconomic spectrum and how resources can be best targeted to get the best outcomes. Again, I thank Mr Barr for his work in drafting the original motion and I look forward to starting this very important work with the committee.
MR DOSZPOT (Brindabella) (10.36): As in the previous motion, obviously I do welcome the amendment. I guess I just need to get some clarification on this from Ms Bresnan that the amendment does, indeed, address both government and non-government schools in this regard.
Ms Bresnan: Yes, it does.
MR DOSZPOT: Thank you. The motion today tackles a topical issue in the education community. It is paramount that, in order to move forward with education reform, we have a good look at our overall performance outcomes and possible weaknesses.
The ACT, overall, does have a high level of achievement when it comes to international and national assessment. We have a high level of participation compared to other jurisdictions but this does not necessarily mean that this participation crosses over all socioeconomic areas of our society. We do need to better understand the reasons for any gaps here, and the committee will be a part of finding the best way forward in a bipartisan way to improve the outcomes of the bottom half of students.
Mr Barr seems to have taken great pleasure in his ossification and prevarication on this topic and in the previous comments about where I stand on education. I have stated all the way through that it is in favour of government and non-government schools equally. Again, the misuse of information is quite worrying to me. Mr Barr mentioned a number of points that have absolutely no relevance to either the topic before us in the previous amendment or in this one.
I am simply seeking his non-partisan approach to his portfolio for government and non-government schools and not to deflect that point of view over to this side. We stand for both government and non-government school issues. The sooner you adopt that same stance in all of your responsibilities, the happier this side of the chamber will be.
We do support this very important motion as a very important priority for the government and its plan for complete reform of education in the ACT. We support the amendment.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .