The Way Forward: Equitable Education for Geographically Isolated Students
With the date for the 2022 Federal election now set as 21 May 2022, the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (ICPA) Australia is urging our nation’s leaders to specify how they will ensure all rural and remote children can gain equitable access to education.
ICPA (Aust) is calling on all sides of Government to commit to longstanding key issues which are crucial to achieving equitable and affordable education for geographically isolated students all over Australia, including:
- An increase to the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Allowance.
- AIC for 3–4-year-old geographically isolated children accessing an approved distance education early learning program.
- A Distance Education Teaching Allowance (DETA).
- Assured funding for rural and remote Mobile Early Childhood Services.
- An increase to the Commonwealth Living Away from Home Allowance (LAFHA) for apprentices/trainees.
- The establishment of a Rural Hardship Education Fund (RHEF).
Federal President, Alana Moller stated “Children should not be missing out on equitable education because of where they reside. It is time to recognise and further assist families who must educate their children in geographically isolated conditions, a responsibility which families have endured for generations.”
These key measures could be achieved with a relatively minimal outlay yet would make a vast difference to educational opportunities and outcomes in rural and remote Australia. It should not be so hard for the country’s geographically isolated children to get ahead.
Now is the time to prioritise affordable and equitable access to education!
Further information and comments please contact:
Alana Moller, Federal President
Suzanne Wilson, Federal Publicity Officer
