2011

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

EDUCATION AMENDMENT BILL 2011

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Presented by
Andrew Barr MLA
Minister for Education and Training

Introduction
This explanatory statement relates to the Education Amendment Bill 2011 as presented to the Legislative Assembly. It has been prepared in order to assist the reader of the bill and to help inform debate on it. It does not form part of the bill and has not been endorsed by the Assembly.

The Statement must to be read in conjunction with the bill. It is not, and is not meant to be, a comprehensive description of the bill. What is said about a provision is not to be taken as an authoritative guide to the meaning of a provision, this being a task for the courts.

Outline
The purpose of this Bill is to make amendments to the Education Act 2004.
The amendments reflect the amalgamation of preschool units into public schools and the introduction of the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2011.

The amendments provide clear governance directions for public preschool units following the changed governance arrangements that came into place following the amalgamation of preschools with primary schools in 2008. The Bill changes the definition of schools so that preschools are now included under the definition of a government school.

The Education and Care Services National Law Act 2011 implements the National Quality Framework across the majority of education and care services in the ACT.  On 1 January 2012 the National Quality Framework will be established under the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2011. For the first time ACT public school preschool units will be licensed and regulated under this legislation.

Amendments
Proposed new subclause to section 20 (1) and (2)
The amendment to section 20 subsections (1) and (2) will change the definition of schools so that preschools are included under the definition of a school for government schools.

Proposed new note to section 20 
Under Section 20 it is noted that public school preschool units are subject to requirements under the Education and Care Services National Law (ACT).

Proposed omission of section 146
Section 146 requires the Director-General to encourage parents of children attending preschool to participate in the conduct of the preschool. This section is no longer required as Section 37 will reflect the inclusive nature of school structures so that all parents are able to support and engage with the school.