2006

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

EDUCATION AMENDMENT BILL 2006

GOVERNMENT AMENDMENTS

SUPPLEMENTARY EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

To be presented by
Mr Andrew Barr MLA
Minister for Education and Training

12 December 2006

Overview of the Government Amendments

The purpose of the amendments to the Education Amendment Bill 2006 is to further clarify the intent of the legislation where misinterpretations have occurred or address issues surrounding wording which have caused difficulties. The Government amendment also withdraws the amendment relating to free education and clarifies the intent of the legislation with respect to the registration of an additional campus of a non-government school. 

Details of the Amendments

Amendment 1	Adds a requirement to notify the Chief Executive of an enrolment.

Amendment 1	Adds a requirement for government and non-government schools to record the transfer of students in the register when required by the Chief Executive to do so. This ensures that schools are required to comply with procedures established by the Chief Executive for the transfer of students.

Amendment 2	Deletes amendment 9 in the Education Amendment Bill 2006. Removes the clause in the Bill enabling the Minister to determine guidelines about charges for activities, services and facilities provided in relation to government schools. By deleting this amendment, the existing provisions of section 26 will remain as is.

Amendments 3,4,5,7	Allows the Minister to assess an application for an additional campus having regard to the demand in the community for the proposed school and whether such a proposed school would undermine the viability of existing schools.

Amendment 6	Amends new section 130 to require the application to be in writing.

Amendment 8	Amends Regulation 2005-1.5 to include the street address of the school’s office on the registration certificate rather than the street location of the school.

Amendment 9	Amends Regulation 2005-1.7 to allow for the approval of home education where the identity of the child may not be able to be established in the absence of a birth certificate. The amendment makes provision for other documentation to be accepted.