Home ed vs school. Who decides?
“March 6, Changes to the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 were introduced to Parliament following a broad review of Queensland’s legislation, led by The Honourable Di Farmer, Minister for Education and Minister for Youth Justice. Among the proposed changes were specific proposals surrounding home education in Queensland.”
New guiding principle for home education
Queensland residents are rallying behind a campaign to protect our home educating community amidst concerns about proposed legislative changes to the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006. One particular area of concern is the wording of the new bill regarding home education, which states "the best interests of the child or young person taking into account their safety and wellbeing."
Image: Copy of Education (General Provisions) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
This is the Bill as introduced into Parliament by the Honourable Grace Grace, Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing on 6 March 2024 (accessed 22 April 2024 at 12:28)
At first glance, this insertion [see Section 7, (da) (i)] seems well-intentioned. However, it raises questions from our home educating families. The #free2homeschool movement argue “the guiding principle is discriminatory if it applies only to home educating children and not to kids enrolled in schools.” It's also important to note, families already choose home education with their child's best interests at heart, whether it's for academic, social, religious, or other reasons.
Our family homeschool journey
Our family reasons for home educating change with the ever-changing seasons of life. We started in school but transitioned to home education when we moved every couple of years for work. Home education provides us with wonderful stability. When we moved to a remote town, the lack of local schools cemented home education. But most of all, we love homeschool. The kids are thriving outside of the traditional curricular and we have made special connections along the way.
The best interest of the child
The ambiguity lies in who determines what constitutes the "best interests" of the child. Is it the parent, the government, health officials, educators, or religious leaders? Is there a predefined set of criteria or a decision-making panel? Moreover, what evidence is required to substantiate that home education is indeed in the child's best interest? This lack of clarity not only poses administrative challenges but also raises concerns about potential biases and delays in the approval process.
Home education has long been acknowledged as a legitimate educational pathway in Queensland, spanning from primary to secondary levels. It's not a last resort for those who don't fit into the traditional school system but rather a deliberate choice for many families seeking a better fit for their children's educational journey. Parents often make significant sacrifices to provide home education, including foregoing dual incomes to prioritise their children's learning experiences.
In essence, the proposed changes risk undermining the autonomy and legitimacy of home education, perpetuating a divisive narrative that pits one educational system against another. Instead, we should advocate for the right to choose the educational path that best serves each child's needs and respects the diversity of educational approaches within our community.
But what about those who aren’t doing the right thing?
The notion that not all individuals within the home education sector are doing what's right is problematic. It's undeniable issues of neglect, abuse, and other forms of harm can occur across all educational settings, whether public, private, or home-based. From distressing cases of misconduct by teachers to instances of bullying and students falling through the cracks, the challenges are multifaceted and extend beyond any single educational approach.
The debate over private versus public education has long highlighted inequalities and disparities in access to resources and opportunities. It's important to recognise that the safety and well-being of children are not automatically guaranteed solely by their enrollment in a formal school environment. Instances of abuse, neglect, isolation, and other disadvantages can persist despite children spending much of their day at school. This underscores the broader issue of child protection that transcends educational settings.
Within our homeschool community, there's a strong sense of care and support for one another. We actively engage in networking and collaboration to provide enriching opportunities for our own children as well as for others within our community. When we hear of any child not receiving proper care or support, it deeply concerns us, and we advocate for measures to address these issues collectively.
We are simply asking for a seat at the table to participate in discussions about how to enhance the educational experiences and well-being of all home educating students. We believe that the inclusion of ambiguous language such as "the best interests of the child or young person taking into account their safety and wellbeing" in the proposed Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 is concerning and warrants further clarification and consultation.
Have your say!
If you believe in safeguarding the rights of home educating families in Queensland, now is the time to join the #free2homeschool campaign. You can make your voice heard by reaching out to your local MPs to share your personal experiences and perspectives on home education.
The big question now is surrounding the Guiding Principles amendments under Section 7 of the Education (General Provisions) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024.
The #free2homeschool campaign leaders wish to see this removed, or request more explanation before the bill is passed.
Read more about the EGPA changes to home education in QLD.
