The Education Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 was introduced into Queensland’s Parliament on Tuesday, 21 August 2012. The Bill would enable State Schools of Distance Education to deliver an e-Kindy program to eligible children.
Queensland has committed to a target of 95% of eligible children participating in kindergarten programs by mid-2013. While most children can participate in centre-based kindy, Queensland’s vastness means that innovative strategies are needed to ensure kindy is accessible to children wherever they live.
The Bill has been referred to the Parliament’s Education and Innovation Committee for consideration, with a report due to Parliament by 29 October, 2012. The report will contain recommendations about the Bill, including whether or not the Bill should be passed.
“E-kindy is now being trialled,” said Stephen Bennett MP, Member of the Queensland Parliament’s Education and Innovation Committee and state Member for Burnett. “It offers learning experiences based on the national early learning framework via the internet, supported by a qualified early childhood teacher. It means that children living in rural and remote areas of the state, or who have medical conditions or live an itinerant lifestyle, are able to access this important year of education and be equally well prepared to start school.”
The Bill will amend legislation to allow the state’s seven schools of distance education to deliver the program.
The Bill will also allow Queensland to adopt new National Professional Standards for teachers. “This is a commitment Queensland has made at the national level,” said Mr Bennett. “Standards are required so that consistent decisions can be made about registering teachers, and teacher training programs. Queensland already has a set of standards that is broadly similar to the national standards, so any impacts on teachers should be minimal. But the benefit of a national approach includes the same high standards for all children in the country, as well as greater mobility for teachers,” he said.
“The Committee’s job is to consider the policy proposal and how it is to be legislated, and advise the Parliament on its findings,” said Mr Bennett. “A public Inquiry allows the Parliament to hear from those it might not otherwise have heard from, which should make for better policy and legislation”.
The Committee is calling for written submissions by 24 September 2012.
The Bill, Explanatory Notes, and guidelines for making a submission are available at: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/eic