“That ICPA (Aust) continues to advocate to the Federal Government for geographically isolated precompulsory school students enrolled in a registered preschool education program to be eligible for the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Distance Education Allowance.”
The AIC Distance Education Allowance is designed to aid families with additional costs to ensure their children can access education despite geographical isolation. This support should extend to children enrolled in pre-school programs.
Pre-school education is crucial for a child's academic and social development, including those in remote areas. Families in these regions face significant costs setting up home-based classrooms and traveling long distances for face-to-face pre-school experiences. These experiences are essential for enhancing learning and socialization in preparation for primary school.
Research consistently highlights the long-term educational benefits of pre-school programs. Supporting geographically isolated families in providing these early learning opportunities fosters educational equity. Including pre-schoolers in the AIC scheme will help bridge the gap in educational access and outcomes for isolated children, promoting fairness and inclusivity in our education system.
While it is encouraging to see increased access to pre-school at the state level, children in remote areas still face significant accessibility challenges compared to their regional and city-based peers. Full-time or part-time, regardless of age discrepancies, every child needs a schoolroom.
