Rural Education Forum Australia, 9 August 2010

The Rural Education Forum Australia is a national advocacy organisation presenting a consolidated view on rural and remote learning matters from early childhood to post compulsory education. The Forum seeks a commitment from all major political parties, with a view to implementing effective policies in government, to address the inequality of outcomes for young people in regional and remote Australia.

Chair of the Rural Education Forum – Howard Kelly said, “We believe in a learning framework that is significantly determined at the community level within state and national parameters, and that we believe policies should be framed to address and/or promote the following issues:

• Improved access to affordable high-quality education services by students in rural and remote communities from early childhood through to tertiary, trade training and employment.
• Improved learning opportunities by building sustainable rural communities.
• The recruitment and retention of quality leadership and staffing in rural and remote schools.
• Curriculum and learning practices that develop higher student aspirations, well-being and resilience in rural and remote communities.
• Greater improvement in learning outcomes of disadvantaged groups in rural and remote areas – Indigenous and low socio-economic students.
• The implementation of the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care within rural and remote communities.
• The promotion of collaboration between the key elements in rural and remote communities to address issues of disadvantage, e.g. Health, Education and Local Government.
• An assessment of how effectively formal schooling is meeting the current needs of rural and remote students.
• Celebration and communication of best practice in learning delivery to rural and remote students.
• A significant budget allocation to address these needs as a major focus and outcome of the Review of School Funding 2010-2011.”

http://www.refa.asn.au/2010/08/refa-press-release-august-2010-mind-the-gap/