THE World Bank, the OECD and the United Nations recently recognised educational inequity as a growing global challenge. But what does educational equity look like and how is it achieved?
A recent article, published in School Leadership & Management authored by international education expert, Professor Pasi Sahlberg, of the University of New South Wales and Trevor Cobbold, national convenor of Save Our Schools, addresses the questions and offers pathways forward.
“All children have a right to high quality education. This basic principle is stated in international agreements and national education laws. UN’s Sustainable Development Goals expect that the member states ‘ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’. In many countries, including in Australia, this goal has become harder to reach,” Professor Sahlberg said.
“Refocusing education policies and leadership on equity, as has happened in Australia and in many other OECD countries, will have little real impact on education systems performance unless policymakers have much better common understanding of what equity in education means and why it is an important part of leading successful education systems.”
That said, Victorians are being encouraged to have their say on the Victorian Government’s major reforms of school-based vocational education and senior secondary education.
The reforms will see the integration of the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) into the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). This will give Victorian students high-quality, practical skills that delivers a pathway to Victoria’s most in-demand jobs.
Victorians can have their say on the new certificate designs, on what units’ students are going to do as part of their certificate and on what the certificates will be called.
To participate and give feedback on Senior Secondary Pathways Reform, go to engage.vic.gov.au/have-your-say- senior-secondary-pathways-reform.
