The Queensland Government has amended its new Education bill to remove items relating to student discipline and home schooling.
Education Minister Di Farmer said there was extensive feedback from industry that the proposed changes outlined in the Education General Provisions Amendment (EGPA) Bill could lead to unintended consequences.
Minister Farmer said education stakeholders had indicated more work needed to be done on Student Disciplinary Absences (SDAs) and regulation around home schooling in Queensland.
“Therefore, those provisions will be withdrawn from the Bill and not progress at this time,” she said.
“To progress further reforms around SDAs, stakeholders from all sides will come together, to chart a way forward, listen to each other’s perspectives and make sure young people are at the centre of any reforms.”
The Minister said a Home School Advisory Group would be established to consider how to gain greater certainty around how Queensland children are receiving a high-quality home education.
The Education Department’s Home Education Unit will also be reviewed in light of the growing number of home-schooled children.
The original bill sought to improve the school suspension and disciplinary process “including creating supports to First Nations students, students with disability and prep students and their families as well as providing all parents and students with appeal rights for short-term suspensions”.
It also sought to address the almost tripling of students being home schooled since COVID, requiring home education to be “provided in a way that is in the best interests of the child or young person, taking into account their safety and wellbeing. Including the requirement to follow the Australian Curriculum”.
