“That ICPA Qld lobbies Department of Education (DoE) to continue writing, developing and providing Independent Learning Materials (ILMs) in both digital and print format to support the implementation of the Australian Curriculum for Distance Education schools across all key learning areas.”
Independent Learning Materials (ILMs) are a critical resource for distance education families, providing structured, high-quality resources aligned with the Australian Curriculum. Recently, distance education schools have informed families that Education Queensland will no longer provide funding for the development of ILMs, leading to their gradual phase-out in the coming years.
This decision directly contradicts ICPA Qld’s Distance Education Policy, which states:
"Students to be provided with quality assured, all-inclusive curriculum aligned for multi-age classrooms that keeps pace with current versions and is available in coloured print form and digital."
Without ILMs, parents and home tutors must compile curriculum content, leading to inconsistent delivery and reduced educational access. ILMs bridge the gap between school and home, ensuring rural and remote students receive equitable education. Their removal will severely disadvantage distance education students.
ICPA Qld must advocate for continued ILM development, as its policy also states:
"Adequate funds are available to employ staff and resources to develop, review, evaluate, rewrite and deliver Distance Education curriculum materials."
Rural and remote students deserve the same standard of education as their urban peers. Removing ILMs undermines this right and must be addressed.
