“That ICPA Qld lobbies the Department of Education (DoE) to ensure that paper-based resources are developed for print for every subject within any version of the Australian Curriculum.”
Paper based resources are a necessity. Without access to high-quality, comprehensive, curriculum-aligned paper-based resources, educational outcomes for students in remote and isolated settings would be severely compromised. The majority of Home Tutors (HTs) who work with geographically isolated students are parents or governesses who do not hold formal teaching qualifications. They rely on paper-based resources to deliver structured, appropriate, and accessible learning that aligns with the expectations of the Australian Curriculum and supports their children’s teachers.
While digital technology plays a valuable role in modern education, the expectation that all learning be delivered exclusively via screen-based methods — such as eTeach and on-air sessions — is both unrealistic and inequitable. This model does not reflect any mainstream classroom in Queensland, where students are not required to spend the entirety of their school day on a computer. In fact, current research overwhelmingly recommends reducing screen time for children to support cognitive, physical, and emotional development.
Remote learning environments often operate as multi-age classrooms, where a single Home Tutor may be supporting multiple children across different year levels and subjects. Expecting them to deliver several online curricula simultaneously is unfeasible. Further concerns include:
- How can a Home Tutor manage the content for multiple units and subjects at once?
- How will individual learning adjustments be made for children with diverse needs?
- How is this a suitable method for students who cannot learn by simply watching and listening?
Moreover, the proposed shift to screen-heavy instruction assumes consistent access to reliable internet and updated computer hardware — a luxury many isolated families do not have. The financial and logistical burden of maintaining this infrastructure is significant and cannot be overlooked.
Developing paper-based resources is not just about offering flexibility — it’s about educational equity. Families in geographically isolated areas must be empowered to teach their children in the ways that best suit their context. By limiting access to paper-based resources, the Department effectively removes choice, restricts opportunity, and undermines the educational rights of these families.
We call on the Department of Education to honour its responsibility to all Queensland students by ensuring paper-based resources are available across all subjects in the new curriculum so that students can engage meaningfully. Every child deserves access to quality education that is suited to their learning environment, regardless of their location.
