EGP Bill 2024 FAQs
Protecting Home Education Freedom
These FAQs address concerns about proposed legislative changes to home education in the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006. These FAQs address the key concerns surrounding the proposed changes to the Education Act.
Guiding Principles
The burden of proof should not be on families. Existing child protection services are well-equipped to handle safety concerns. We do not know how the department intends to implement this principle.
The proposed legislation introduces a subjective standard, leaving the interpretation to local authorities and without transparency about what this will mean. This change threatens to remove or limit parental choice/control and creates uncertainty for home educators.
The proposed changes single out home educators, implying a lack of trust in their ability to provide quality education. All education providers should be held to the same basic standards.
A new guiding principle is being added that in deciding to grant registration for a child to home educate, consideration must be given to a child’s best interests, taking into account their safety and wellbeing. The Department of Education advises that this principle will enhance child safety concerns and have better oversight of children learning at home. This imposes a higher level of scrutiny and justification on home educated families than on schools or children attending schools.
Curriculum and Reporting
Frequent curriculum updates make long-term planning difficult for parents. Flexibility is crucial for successful home education.
This change disregards the different learning styles and goals of older students. Some may focus on vocational training or arts programs that do not require high-level math or english.
A rigid national curriculum may not accommodate different learning styles, cultural backgrounds, or religious values. Parents should have the freedom to tailor education to their children’s needs.
This concern is valid. Universities traditionally accept homeschooled students early based on a variety of factors.
This vague phrase creates confusion and additional workload for both home educators and the Home Education Unit (HEU). A clear definition is needed to avoid misinterpretation of the legislation.
The proposed system does not address the needs of advanced learners who may require alternative or higher level learning materials.
Control and Reporting
The proposed level of reporting creates an immense administrative burden for families and the HEU. A simpler, outcome-based approach would be more efficient.
This proposal extends government oversight beyond necessary boundaries.
This timeframe is unrealistic for families who may need support and guidance in crafting a response. The system should offer resources and assistance.
Registration and Recognition
Provisional registration (s.207 – 60 day provisional) offers a short term option with no educational plan required. These are particularly useful for transitioning to distance education when waiting on an enrolment spot.
Provisional registration (s.208 – with application) is being proposed that only those who complete an application in full, with all documents and educational plan, will be eligible for this temporary cover until the application has been approved.
Certificates provide a valuable resource recognising a family’s registration with home education for access to resources. This change would result in potentially sensitive information being shared in an attempt to continue this access.
The potential for Centrelink to use home education registration certificate conditions to restrict work exemptions is concerning.
Authority and Regulation
The requirement to plan and report based on the national curriculum removes power and discretion over high-quality education out of the policy and procedure level and makes a different and exclusive model the law.
The HEU currently works with families to create plans that are appropriate to their individual children’s needs and abilities. If the national curriculum is legislated, the HEU cannot have a policy that is different to the legal requirement.
Consultation
Major stakeholders, including representatives of home educating families, were not consulted in the bill as it has been tabled. A more inclusive consultation process is necessary.
Write your concerns as a submission to the Education, Employment and Training Committee at eetsc@parliament.qld.gov.au.
Ensure your submission contains 2 forms of contact and your name. Forms of contact can be any 2 of:
1. Phone number
2. Email address
3. Address
