Major school and learning consultation launched by Commissioner for Children and Young People
The Western Australian Commissioner for Children and Young People is consulting with around 2,000 students from schools across WA on what helps them to stay in school and barriers they face in learning.
Commissioner Colin 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.
“We know though that too many 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 the participating schools to ensure a wide range of students from different areas and school types are consulted.
The Commissioner and staff will be travelling around Perth and regional areas in coming months to undertake the consultation.
“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.
“The consultation will provide information that can be used 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 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 consultation is the first phase on a broader Engagement in education project that is being informed by a reference group including representatives from the Department of Education, Catholic Education WA and the Association of Independent Schools WA.
More information about this consultation is available on the Commissioner’s website.
