That ICPA (Aust) advocates to the Australian Government and relevant telecommunications providers to ensure geographically isolated students enrolled in distance education programs have access to adequate, reliable and fit-for-purpose internet services, including timely access for newly enrolled families.
Distance education and School of the Air delivery is entirely dependent on reliable internet connectivity. However, many geographically isolated families continue to experience inadequate internet speeds, unreliable service and significant delays in establishing appropriate connections.
Current one-size-fits-all telecommunications solutions do not adequately meet the needs of remote education delivery, particularly where multiple students are learning simultaneously through platforms requiring stable video conferencing capability.
In many cases, families are forced to independently source and fund alternative internet solutions to ensure students can meaningfully participate in lessons.
Reliable internet access is now an essential educational service and should be recognised as critical infrastructure for geographically isolated students.
ICPA (Aust) believes the Australian Government should:
• Ensure remote education families have access to reliable high-speed internet;
• Consider alternative technologies where NBN services are inadequate;
• Ensure timely establishment of internet services for newly enrolled distance education families;
• Recognise internet connectivity as essential to equitable educational access.
