Children to have a say on their educational needs

Around 2,000 primary and secondary students from schools across WA will be asked about what helps them to stay in school and barriers they face in learning, as part of a project started this week by the Commissioner for Children and Young People Colin Pettit.

Mr Pettit said it was well recognised that a positive experience with education was a major contributor to a person’s lifelong health and wellbeing and the consultation was important to ensure children and young people’s views are used to help shape education into the future.

“Children and young people have reported to my office in previous consultations how important education, schools and teachers are to their lives and the creation of a bright and prosperous future, which matches what other research tells us,” he said.

“While the vast majority of WA students are doing well and are happy at school, some children and young people do not attend school regularly and others have negative experiences, and this is detrimental to children, their families and our community.

“This is the first time WA students from government and non-government schools will be asked on a broad scale what helps them attend school and be positively engaged in learning.

“We will also be giving parents of students participating in the consultation the opportunity to provide their views as parents have a large influence on the academic outcomes and social and emotional wellbeing of children and young people.

Randomised sampling has been used to select more than 80 participating primary and secondary schools to ensure a wide range of students from different areas and school types are consulted.

“Principals and educators from all sectors have told me that the views of students are vital to continuously improve our education system, so it is important for the data and information from this consultation to be comprehensive and reliable,” Mr Pettit said.

“Children and young people views on what supports their learning will help schools to improve educational practices and further develop the many excellent programs that are providing alternative models of education for some vulnerable children.

“I will report back to the Western Australian community on this research early in 2017 and will work with both government and non-government organisations to ensure that the views expressed by children and young people are heard and taken into account.”

The Commissioner visited Carine Primary School to thank Year 3 and 6 students who trialled the consultation survey earlier this year and provided feedback.

“The advice from these students and others was used to make the survey easier for children and young people to use and have a say, so their contribution is very important,” Mr Pettit said.      //ENDS