AHISA MEDIA RELEASE
27 November 2018

AHISA welcomes focus on regional, rural and remote education

The Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA) welcomes the establishment of the Expert Regional Education Advisory Group to progress the Australian Government’s National Regional, Rural and Remote Higher Education Strategy. 

AHISA’s CEO, Beth Blackwood, said the terms of reference for the Advisory Group, announced yesterday by the federal Minister for Education, the Hon Dan Tehan, recognised the integral role of schools in helping to develop and support students’ aspirations for higher education. 

‘AHISA’s submission to the Independent Review into Regional, Rural and Remote Education identified lack of aspiration for tertiary education as a particular challenge for schools serving students in outer regional and remote areas,’ said Ms Blackwood. ‘This is directly linked to depressed local economic conditions and a lack of employment opportunities.’ 

Ms Blackwood said AHISA members’ schools in outer regional and remote areas were meeting this challenge with a range of innovative approaches and strategies, including visiting university open days, creating links with regional universities, arranging student exchanges with city-based or overseas schools, arranging specialist VET placements and supporting students to acquire the necessary bridging skills to enable them to access tertiary options. 

‘Our member surveys show that schools also address opportunity gaps through specialised curriculum offerings or delivery, such as accessing online courses or using video conferencing,’ said Ms Blackwood. ‘Digital connection is a key enabler of education provision that engages students at senior secondary level and forms strong pathways for tertiary education.’ 

AHISA looks forward to engaging with the Advisory Group and contributing to its work. 

ENDS 

Contact: Ms Beth Blackwood, AHISA CEO, mobile 0417 180 842. 

AHISA’s submission to the Independent Review into Regional, Rural and Remote Education.

AHISA is a professional association of 440 Heads of independent schools. Its members lead schools that collectively account for 11.5 per cent of total Australian school enrolments and 20 per cent of Year 12 enrolments. 

AHISA National Office: Unit 123, 20 Anzac Park, Campbell ACT 2612; ABN 99 006 107 124; telephone (02) 6247 7300; email [email protected]; www.ahisa.edu.au

Focus on regional, rural and remote education