New Charter for Australian Primary Schools

By The Hon Julie Bishop

The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, today announced Australian Government support to create a new charter to redefine the role of primary schools in the community. The Australian Primary Principals Association will receive $60,000 for a national forum to develop a draft charter.

Minister Bishop said the new charter is important as it will provide a framework to ensure primary school students receive a high quality education.

“Schools have been asked to provide a huge range of services that go far beyond what was traditionally the role of schools, and this has the potential to have a negative impact on their ability to teach students and allow them to develop the fundamental skills in areas such as reading, writing and mathematics,” she said.

“The charter will help to define the role of primary school education and to allow schools to focus on the vital task of educating young people.
“I welcome this initiative from the Australian Primary Principals Association and look forward to working with them in the completion of their works.”

“The Australian Government wants a greater focus on higher standards for every Australian student and greater national consistency and quality across the education sector,” Minister Bishop said.